BDO 2004

The BDO 2004 was held at the Exotic Animal Welfare Trust in County Durham on Saturday the 8th of May.

Despite the pretty dire weather, around 20-30 people turned up for the BDO 2004! (I forgot to bring the book that I usually ask people to sign, so it’s a guesstimate)

I met a few people who I have helped via email and soon discovered that some had driven a lot further than me to be there. One couple in particular had a 4.5hr drive each way!

This year I took five different species of snake to let people see, handle if they wanted to and ask questions about. The snakes were a Normal Corn Snake, a Butter Corn Snake, a Sinaloan Milksnake, a Western Hognose, a Royal Python and a Black Pine Snake.

They gave a good spectrum of the differences in behaviour and requirements between species.

I also took a Veiled Chameleon, a Chilean Rose Tarantula and the latest addition to my collection............... an Asiatic Pit Viper Skeleton.

You’d be surprised how many times I’m asked by the general public if snakes have any bones. Now people can see for themselves. ;o)

As usual, I didn’t have a preset talk (This makes things much more interesting for me as I’m never sure what’s going to be asked). The topics were raised by people asking questions about the animals I had with me and branched out from that.

Some of the topics included setups, handling, feeding, breeding, animal behaviour, common errors, DWA procudures, animal rights groups, the press and media.

I also spoke about some of the funnier aspects of the people I meet and the stories I hear. Like the gentleman who offered his yearling Kingsnake a broken off mouse foot, on the tip of his finger................. I’ll let you think about that one.   ;o)

Everybody also had the chance to meet the staff at the Exotic Animal Welfare Trust, learn about the important work they do in caring for sick or neglected animals and rehoming them to people who care.

I’d like to thank Stuart for letting me hold the BDO 2004 at the EAWT and all of the people who turned up. I really enjoyed meeting everybody and will hopefully see you all again at the Petsnakes BDO 2005! (Yes, I’m already working on it)

Bye for now,

Jim