Frank Colacicco wrote:
hello,Books commonly use both if applicable. I don't know of any gecko books that don't refer to the proper scientific name. Respectfully, novices need to be weaned from common names as they are often made up by a pet shop. One gecko I gave as an example of this once, the Pareodura picta, had about seven common names. Even if the scientific name sounds scary at least it should be provided at the time of purchase to help the person find information. The person should be made aware that having a proper scientific name is a tool for finding info about their gecko. I think most people would welcome that type of knowledge. Takes the scary right out of it.
I've come to realize that it is hopeless to expect anyone but the most interested to know or regonize a latin name. Most dont even know there is such a thing as a latin name, especially when books are using common names.
As gekkophiles, if we are to want to help novices understand the keeping and care of geckos, i feel it our responsibility to be aware of the common names in the "pet trade".This prospect is a taller order than just getting proper id. Most gecko keepers in our position do make an effort to remember these names.
That's nice that you knew this one, if, as Preston points out, it was correct. That is very nice when we can pass along the correct name and reference to the proper materials. This does not excuse folks from not doing this at the time of sale though. I can't think of any reasonable excuse why a seller would not do this with all the great gecko books available and care information available through the internet. The GGA website has a common name list that you can scroll down and get the proper scientific name for the gecko. Another great tool!For example Wall Gecko in most circumstances is a Tanentola. More specifically a Tarentola mauritanica, which is a fairly easy gecko to keep.
In a perfect world, pet shops would have care sheets,In California this is now the law. I hardly call that perfection, but it is a huge step in the right direction.
locale info, and informed sales people. But they dont, so if we are going to openly call ourselves gecko enthusiasts, i feel we need to know both sides of the trade. Just my two cents. Best wishesYa, I only know the "other side of the trade" too well. Too often I have seen first experiences with geckos ruined by lack of proper info. I know mine were when I was growing up. I see asking the novice gecko owner to demand proper info as a way to empower them and help discourage those doing them and the geckos a disservice. Customers have the right to have the tools to properly care for their gecko. They should know and expect these rights. It is our responsibility as breeders/sellers to make them aware of these rights and to tell them when someone has done them wrong. I certainly have appreciated someone caring enough to tell me when someone was not treating me right as a customer, in any business.
Frankc
Geckos deserve proper care before and after the sale, those folks sending home new gecko owners without the proper info are likely not caring for the geckos properly themselves, thus further crippling the new gecko owner's chances for success. It is a viscious cycle. Let's give them the info we know, if we are able to, so they can get squared away with the immediate needs of the gecko, and then let's encourage them to demand what they need - info! If the seller cannot take the time to get the info to take care of the gecko and the customer, then they should sell pet rocks and not geckos!
Anyone got any other ideas? What can we do about this? There are a lot of folks who need help out there.
Julie Bergman http://www.geckoranch.com
GGA lifetime member
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