Matt2inGuestchat - Good evening folks, Kingsnake.com's Guest tonight is Mr Ken Foose
BillLove - Do you feel the IRBA show has remained the 'big' west coast herp show still?
Kenfoose - I think it is, at least the Oct. show
Kenfoose - personaly, Daytona is still #1
Kenfoose - but IRBA is still second
BillLove - That's good to hear. I've been wanting to return, and news like that only helps.

HeRp-AdDiCt - what do you have to say about grey banded kings?
Kenfoose - what's to say, still one of the prettiest species there is

LeoGekoNrthrnBlu - Of all the places you've gone herping, which was the most fulfilling?
Kenfoose - Peru
Kenfoose - had a blast
Kenfoose - Costa Rica was good too

MarkBagy - Ken , since you are in the pet trade , do you feel reptile shows hurt or help you , and in what ways
Kenfoose - I like herp shows, and have no problem with them at all.
Kenfoose - I always like to remember that no matter what herps someone buys there
Kenfoose - they still got to get the food and supplies from me sooner or later

MichHerper - How do you feel about wild caught animals in the pet trade? Does it help? Or hinder?
Kenfoose - the fact is that there are going to be lots of wildcaughts in the trade until they either become more comonly bred, or banned
Kenfoose - I don't think it hurts the trade at all
Kenfoose - after all, once upon a time, they were all wildcaught

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: Ken what one herp sells the best at your store
Kenfoose - cornsnakes

SirRandal - Ken, thanks for the great job as auctioneer at the IHS! and thanks for the PETA T-shirt!
Kenfoose - no problem at all, happy you liked it
The-Nightcrawler - I never got MY PETA t shirt
The-Nightcrawler - so I'm miffed. no question at this time

BillLove - I've been hearing tidbits here and there about all these milk snake relict populations in the isolated mountains and valleys of your general area. Is anything 'official' happening that you're aware of to describe, re-classify, etc. any of the populations being 'discovered'? Have you seen anything really different found out that way yet - anything that looks radically different than L. t. taylori?
Kenfoose - there is really nothing being done at this time Bill, which is a shame
Kenfoose - hopefully the funds will be coming to do it right somewhere down the road

HeRp-AdDiCt - what do you think a 27 inch red tail boa (colombian) should be eating?
Kenfoose - adult mice
HeRp-AdDiCt - follow
Kenfoose - perhaps small rats
HeRp-AdDiCt - what about rat pups
Kenfoose - waste of money
HeRp-AdDiCt - but the nutrition

LeoGekoNrthrnBlu - Have you ever gone herping in Africa?
Kenfoose - no dear, I have not
Kenfoose - I hope to go with Bill sometime on one of his trips
Kenfoose - also planning on seeing Joe in Tanzania sometime

MarkBagy - Ken , do you feel that all this mass breeding will hurt you , because prices are dropping thru the floor
Kenfoose - not at all, in fact, I think it only helps
Kenfoose - more people can afford the stuff, and I make good on the supplies
Kenfoose - it is hard on the breeders sometimes though

mett - Any suggestions on keeping baby Jackson Chams going, ?
Kenfoose - I'm not a chameleon expert, but just feed the hell out of them
Kenfoose - Mark could help you more in that area after the chat

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: Ken why do you rate Peru as your best?
The-Nightcrawler - did you invent foose ball?
The-Nightcrawler - sorry, was rushed on that one
Kenfoose - well, it could be the company that usually is with me when I go, but I just think that that part of the world is great
Kenfoose - I have never had a bad time
Kenfoose - and my grandaddy invented the game
Kenfoose - so there

BillLove - Do you think the PETAphiles are slowly winning against us when they have a growing percentage of even the herpers feeling like it's some kind of sin to go herping in the field? I'm all for herpetoculture, but the humaniacs are actually using it against us by making it seem like ONLY captive-bred herps are O.K. now?
Kenfoose - yes, they are winning, and unless we change our thinking soon, they will beat us
Kenfoose - there is a lot more in the world then cb herps
BillLove - FOLLOW-UP: But what can we do differently?
Kenfoose - ban together a bit more, and watch them, they are working at us all the time, and sometimes it seems we just don't see it
Kenfoose - and stop giving them amunition to use against us
Kenfoose - big subject, sorry

SirRandal - Ken, will there be another Las Vegas show? And thanks for being a guest tonight!
Kenfoose - hard to say, but I think not, if you are refrering to IRBA
Kenfoose - and your'e welcome
Kenfoose - if done right, there is a lot of money to be made
Kenfoose - IF done right

HeRp-AdDiCt - would it be wise to open a small local store nowadays with the herp trade growing so much and all??
Kenfoose - if you do it right, and I mean really right, you can make a living, you won't get rich, but you will eat well
Kenfoose - customer service is the answer
Kenfoose - find a niche, and exploit it
HeRp-AdDiCt - thanks

MarkBagy - Ken , what has affected you most in your line of business over the last ten years , good or bad
Kenfoose - well, up until last year, nothing bad happened
Kenfoose - last year was a tough one, but things are finally coming back now
Kenfoose - I have seen them come and go, but I'm still here
Kenfoose - customer service again...

RickG - Does PETA stand for People Eating Tasty Animals? ;-)
Kenfoose - it does indeed
RickG - :)
Kenfoose - stalker was right

BillLove - Sorry to have hit you with that last one; yeah, it's a long, involved subject - one that has me kind of hot around the collar lately. On a diff note: I've gotten GREAT feedback on a Las Vegas herp extravaganza that you were apparently instrumental in organizing a few years back. I'd sure like to see you repeat it again someday - I'd make it an excuse to take Kathy out to that new Star Trek thing on the strip while there!
Kenfoose - lol, I'll take you personaly, it's great
Kenfoose - and I also am concerned, very much so
Kenfoose - the animal rights folks are after us
Kenfoose - and it's never going to stop
Kenfoose - and if we don't get off our asses, we will go the way of the bird people
SirRandal - thanks Ken!

HeRp-AdDiCt - what snake would be the best to start breeding?
Kenfoose - cornsnakes
Kenfoose - hands down
HeRp-AdDiCt - boas?
Kenfoose - the guppy of the snake world
Kenfoose - walk first, run later Herp

MarkBagy - i dont feel you really answered that last quest
MarkBagy - what changes have you seen
Kenfoose - about the best herp to start with?
Kenfoose - oh, that
Kenfoose - more shows, then less shows, but the interest in herps has continued to go up, and is now hittng the mainstream
Kenfoose - I have also seen animals that could not be bought without a pound of gold getting cheaper
Kenfoose - that is the plus of captive bred
Kenfoose - I can still remember my first bearded dragons I bought for myself
Kenfoose - paid $600 each for hatchlings
Kenfoose - no more of that lol

RickG - Have you ever done shows for local schools to possibly increase your client base?
Kenfoose - we do a lot of them, plus I even do birthday parties, boy scouts, home schools, etc
RickG - Follow: Has the response been good?
Kenfoose - response is mixed
Kenfoose - the kids like it, hardly ever make a buck out of it though

The-Nightcrawler - WHy don't we see any of the BIG BIGGIES of the herp trade, whether dealers, breeders, importers, etc, getting involved except in local issues? When some have made millions off the trade, you would think they would want to protect it.
The-Nightcrawler - this is for Mr. Love as much as Mr. Foose

BillLove - Have you ever experienced problems with baby colubrids, like corns, desiccating too much in well-ventilated shoeboxes (or whatever kinds of cages) out in the desert? Do your customers ever let them virtually dry up, not realizing they need higher humidity than, say, a baby gopher snake or bearded dragon?
Kenfoose - old "not in my backyard" thinking
BillLove - Have you ever experienced problems with baby colubrids, like corns, desiccating too much in well-ventilated shoeboxes (or whatever kinds of cages) out in the desert? Do your customers ever let them virtually dry up, not realizing they need higher humidity than, say, a baby gopher snake or bearded dragon?
Kenfoose - rarely Bill
Kenfoose - the biggesty problem we have here is just getting the snakes home alive
Kenfoose - if set up right, the animals do fine
Kenfoose - in fact the biggest problem is the cold, people run the airconditioner full blast here

CoreyS - still trying to figure out where i know your name from.
CoreyS - what company are you with
Kenfoose - Exotic Pets
Kenfoose - Vegas
CoreyS - web address?
Kenfoose - I'm really just a nobody
Matt2inGuestchat - (Ken can you post your website)
Kenfoose - www.exotic pets-online.com
CoreyS - ok i remember who you are, i will be contacting you

HeRp-AdDiCt - should i give my boa a room to roam?
Kenfoose - no
Kenfoose - your boa comes from a warm, clean place
HeRp-AdDiCt - why no
HeRp-AdDiCt - ok
MarkBagy - Ken , back to what Mr. Love had mentioned earlier , how do you feel about commercial collecting , especially in areas like ours , where they are being plowed over and built on
Kenfoose - you will be letting it crawl on the coldest, dirties part of your house
Kenfoose - I have no prolbem with commercial collecting, as long as we are not responsible for a species demise
Kenfoose - that rarely happens however, it is habitat loss

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: Ken..what do you forsee as the next big herp..ie color morph etc.
Kenfoose - well, you just can't beat the new morphs in corns and kingsnakes, and I think that's were it will remain for awhile
Kenfoose - If I knew the next new thing, I would be rich
Matt2inGuestchat - followup: and boids?
Kenfoose - boids are surely up and coming, especially the salmon boa being put into the mix
Kenfoose - I look forward to seeing what pops up next

BillLove - I'm out of ideas. Ken, it's been a pleasure. Catch you next show, or whenever! Say hi to P & G deVosjoli in San Diego for me, huh?
Kenfoose - lol, ok Bill, will do, see ya

CoreyS - will you be at the san antonio show?
CoreyS - and if so, stop buy our booth, we will be next to randal berry
Kenfoose - no Corey, but I will be attending the East texas show next year, as IHS will be there at the same time also
CoreyS - ashame

HeRp-AdDiCt - ok mr. ken it was a pleasure talking to you i have no more questions at this time thanks 4 your advice oh great one lol night unless i have other questions
HeRp-AdDiCt - matt thanks aswell
Kenfoose - anytime herp
Matt2inGuestchat - pleasure

MarkBagy - Ken , do you think my albino Gila will be the next big thing
Kenfoose - if you had not cut off its hemipenes, perhaps it would be Mark
Kenfoose - by the way, I will be breaking into your house later

The-Nightcrawler - do you still have the boeleni at the shop? and do high-end snakes sell at all in local pet shops?
Kenfoose - I still have her John, and yes, I do sell a lot of high end herps
Kenfoose - and I think it will just get better

CoreyS - i am having problems selling my asian rat snake morphs, even at low prices. any ideas? Normal ones i can keep in stock, the morphs (hypors albinos etc) just dont do move at all
Matt2inGuestchat - Ken are you breeding beardies and if so what morphs
Kenfoose - Corey, I have the same problem

The-Nightcrawler - send her over, ken. I'll let her have some fun with my male
Kenfoose - I have a couple pairs, just plain old pagona
Kenfoose - most of my customers are not looking for morphs, they just want a nice pet lizard
Kenfoose - so that's what I give them

MarkBagy - Ken , i noticed in your store , you sell alot of books especially ones that cover the animals you sell , do you feel that is a key element or just the fact that you and your staff are so well versed in so many herps ???
Kenfoose - I will not give any warrenty on any animal if a book is not purchased with it
Kenfoose - I feel that books are an important part of the husbandry of the animal, period
Kenfoose - you can never know too much
Kenfoose - plus, we like books lol

Matt2inGuestchat - Ken, whats your fav herp and why
Kenfoose - my favorite are my falsewater cobras, and just because they are big and cool to look at and play with
Kenfoose - I also like my Bolean's python a lot
CoreyS - stores right now, however I would prefer to deal with mostly US stores.

MarkBagy - well Kenny , i am running out of stuff to ask , everyone wants to keep passing maybe we should just open chat
Kenfoose - I'm not sure if anyone has heard this yet, just for your info...
Kenfoose - California has just passed a new law
Kenfoose - brought on by the animal rights folks
Kenfoose - at reptile shows, you must hand out care sheets with all animals sold
Kenfoose - that also applies to all pet stores
Kenfoose - which is a crock, it will interfere with the selling of books in petstores
RickG - California always leads the way in all forms of government regulation.. not surprising
The-Nightcrawler - actually, sounds good to me. I think pet stores should give out care sheets anyway
Kenfoose - this law was targeted specificaly at the IRBA
Lisa-pass - a care sheets don't substitute for a book
Kenfoose - but John, if we give the info away in print, book sales will drop
The-Nightcrawler - true
Matt2inGuestchat - let Ken finish, please so i can continue down the line
Kenfoose - at shows, I can see it
Kenfoose - go ahead Bill, all done
Kenfoose - lol
The-Nightcrawler - but this doesn't affect me. as to what is best for the animals, care sheets is a good idea.
The-Nightcrawler - send that boeleni over here on breeding loan, Ken. I only have one female ready to breed this year.
Matt2inGuestchat - Rick, your turn

RickG - ummm... do you make your own handling equipment or buy it?
Kenfoose - I usually buy it now, but I do have hooks and such that I made over 20 yrs ago, and I still use them
Kenfoose - we shall talk about it lmao

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: ken..any update on Mexico possibly relaxing any herp-laws
Matt2inGuestchat - ie collecting
Kenfoose - not that I have heard of

CoreyS - I ost US stores give me the blow off when i contact them. Any suggestions on getting US store's attention?
Kenfoose - but it's not Mexico, it's the US
CoreyS - I have recently started an import/export/wholesale(little bit of retail) operation. I have had great sucess selling to stores overseas and individuals in the usa, but most US stores give me the blow off when i contact them. Any suggestions?
CoreyS - there we go!
Kenfoose - just keep faxing them
Kenfoose - keep in mind, I am a small store, and I get about 10 faxes from suppliers everyday
Kenfoose - do something to make yourself stand out

Lisa-pass - back to the care sheet, how can one sheet compete with a book?
Kenfoose - in the consumers mind, it will, trust me
The-Nightcrawler - a care sheet can give sufficient information. most of those books are small, large type, would fit on a page anyway. make up your own care sheets, sell them for $0.50
Kenfoose - I tend to agree John,, but it sure will cut the sales of that $10 book
The-Nightcrawler - you could make up caging sheets, care sheets, etc
The-Nightcrawler - you are talking money, not what is best for the herps
Kenfoose - ah, but without the money, I will not be in business

The-Nightcrawler - I'm sure that HSUS and PETA would be just as glad to see books sold as care sheets
Kenfoose - it is a hard cold fact, but that
Kenfoose - s the way it is

Matt2inGuestchat - Ken have been able to see a wild Preuvian boa and how do they compare w/cb ones?
The-Nightcrawler - also, how many books are there on the care of mex mex, greeri, alterna, cal kings, etc?
Kenfoose - Bill, I have seen one once,
Kenfoose - the cb ones are much prettier, the only way to go
Kenfoose - John, not many
Kenfoose - but there are a few
Kenfoose - and I carry them
Matt2inGuestchat - Ken we're up on the hour.would you like to continue for an add half hr?
Kenfoose - up to you, I'm good

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: Ken any specialy herp trips this coming summer
Kenfoose - I'm going to head for Belize next year, and am also in the beginning stages of another trip to Iquitos
Kenfoose - in fact, I'll be looking for 10 hardy souls to come with me when the time comes
Kenfoose - Bill Lamar has already agreed to take us out

Crystall - hehe, silly question, but Ken, you ever have any Uromastyx for sale?
Crystall - darn

CoreyS - what makes a supplier stand out? what makes you choose one supplier over another (besides who is the cheapest)?
Kenfoose - many species Crystall
Kenfoose - make the letters on the fax big
Crystall - ok, ill keep an eye on your website, thanx
Kenfoose - marketing is everything
Kenfoose - market yourself, sell quality, price is sometimes secondary
CoreyS - ok yuo will recieve a 2000 page fax tommorrow

Juan-Carlos - Ken, are you curently working with or have you worked with Dart frogs in the past? any interesting discoveries that you know of that havent made public eye?
Kenfoose - let me go buy more paper
Kenfoose - no Juan, I don't work with darts
Kenfoose - I sell a lot of them, but don't breed them anymore
Kenfoose - used to though
MarkBagy - Ken , do you want to pay me 25 an hour to make care sheets
Kenfoose - no Mark, alread paid you $10 an hour to clean cages
MarkBagy - thats alot of money in your store
Kenfoose - and you were worth every penny buy the way

mett - Sorry I missed the topic earlier, new to this,,, Do you think with so much success with so many breeding popular herps i.e. Leo's. beardies etc, that the market will just get over saturated?
The-Nightcrawler - hmm, give me a bedroom and $10/hour and I may move
Kenfoose - never will happen
Kenfoose - we need more low end herps to sell to the public
mett - agree with that
Kenfoose - remember in my business I don't really cater to breeders, I sell to mom dad, and the kids
mett - worked at a shop for 9 years, I can relate

The-Nightcrawler - the market is self-adjusting, mett. something drops enough in profitablity and the breeders dump it, then it stays constant or goes up a bit
Kenfoose - Bill, I ran out of triple xxx
The-Nightcrawler - I can take medium, large is fine
Matt2inGuestchat - my turn:Ken have ya attempted breeding Mand. ratsnakes
Kenfoose - I have been toying with the idea, but no, not yet
Kenfoose - I really consentrate on the less expensive herps to breed
Kenfoose - I do volume lol

Matt2inGuestchat - followup; what is your next breeding project or can you say
Kenfoose - I will say here, for the first time anywhere, what the hay
Kenfoose - I am working on a line of albino eastern kings at this time
Matt2inGuestchat - those should be nice
Kenfoose - also albino nigrita
Kenfoose - it's ongoing lol

Juan-Carlos - Ken, What are you mostly working with now? any breeding projects that your getting excited about?
Juan-Carlos - although I think you answerd a peice of it already
Kenfoose - I get excited everytime an egg pips
Juan-Carlos - Matt beat me to t
Juan-Carlos - dont we all:)
Kenfoose - I work mainly with the cheap stuff
SirRandal - I heard Louie's book will be out shortly, talked him him recently?
Kenfoose - he's in Iquitos now, should be home in a few days
Kenfoose - he is very excited and so am I, can't wait
SirRandal - me neither
Kenfoose - He should be contacting me shortly
The-Nightcrawler - sorry, feeding venomous snakes
The-Nightcrawler - I'll drive out and bug him there
Kenfoose - the couch is awaiting you John
The-Nightcrawler - not the same one, I hope
Juan-Carlos - WOrking with so many animals do you often see any mutated?
Juan-Carlos - as in imported that way
Kenfoose - not usually Juan, unless I do it on purpose
Kenfoose - imports now days are pretty well picked through, anything cool is usually gone before it ever hits the open market
mett - I'm a regular on ebays trading card board,, a few animal people there, rumor is ebay has considere opening up auctions for animals, since revenue is way down. Your opinon on pros and cons. I personally do not see much good, except to lower prices on more common stuff. But not worth it. IMHO
Kenfoose - I don't see anything coming of it either, you will have a lot of people looking, few buying, and the few that do will then be wondering what to do once the animal shows up
Kenfoose - the dotcoms are not all they are cracked up to be

SirRandal - for those who haven't personally met Ken, he's a big huggable Teddy-Bear! hahahahahahaha!
SirRandal - right?
Kenfoose - geeeeezz
SirRandal - hahahahaha
Kenfoose - I have always thought of myself as pear shaped
SirRandal - lol
Kenfoose - I have the perfect body for childbearing

Matt2inGuestchat - my turn: do you herp SE AZ much anymore, Ken
Kenfoose - not anymore Bill, no time, the store takes up much of my time, plus the breeders at home, just no more time
MarkBagy - yeah , i remember that body in the hotel , LOL
Kenfoose - mark, bring me a fattburger
Kenfoose - and some fries
SirRandal - pass out! Crystall, bring me a beer!

Juan-Carlos - Ken, How do you see the retail herp business? DO you consider it a good stable income?
Kenfoose - want me to answer that yet Bill?
Matt2inGuestchat - welp, we're up on our time here tonight folks, ..on behalf of JeffB, K.com and myself I appreciate the good efforts, time and trouble Ken went thru for 2 nights to be here

The-Nightcrawler - do you think that selling off most of my herps and investing in boeleni and Nerodia is a good business move?
Kenfoose - go with the Nerodia, you just can't lose
Matt2inGuestchat - if you wish ken
Kenfoose - but you will smell
Kenfoose - I think that the retail herp business is strong, getting stronger, and has a real future
Kenfoose - can you make a good income?
Kenfoose - yes, if you are savvy and market yourself well
Juan-Carlos - :)
Kenfoose - don't bother competing with the big boys, do your own thing, do it well, better then anyone else
Juan-Carlos - Ken are you currently selling retail only or wholesale aswell?
Kenfoose - only retail
Kenfoose - with my business, it's not just the animal sale
MarkBagy - i dont know Ken maybe i can squeeze a penny more out of Corey
Kenfoose - it's the stuff you sell that keeps it alive
Juan-Carlos - Which herp do you considerto be the "best seller" to the public?
Kenfoose - drygoods is where the money is
Kenfoose - cornsnakes, hands down
Juan-Carlos - that goes for pretty much all animals:)
CoreyS - animals sell teh dry good
Kenfoose - followed by bearded dragons
Crystall-[PASS] - corns, bah...not an animal i would want
The-Nightcrawler - thanks, Mr. Foose, it has been a pleasure for us to bask in the glow of greatness, to talk to a biggie, to hear what it was like from a man who was around before most of today's animals were even discovered.
Kenfoose - it is the perfect first pet herp for a young family
Kenfoose - gee, thanks John
Crystall-[PASS] - hahaha John, your so charming
MarkBagy - i'll bring you some dried kingsnakes , cornsnakes , milksnakes , heck they dont even eat much
The-Nightcrawler - adios
Kenfoose - umm, were you talking about yourself oldtimer?
Viperbyt - Ken: What is your site address?
Kenfoose - frozen snakes are easy to keep
Kenfoose - www.exoticpets-online.com
SirRandal - are you buying c.b. snakes?
Kenfoose - always
Kenfoose - I think that the only wc snakes I sell are garters, and ball pythons
Kenfoose - and of course the Bolean's python
SirRandal - i'll contact you, I bred albino grey rats this yr
Kenfoose - very cool, much interested
Kenfoose - go to my site, then email me from there
SirRandal - ok
SirRandal - and thanks for being a guest
Matt2inGuestchat - don't forget the stamp, Randal
Matt2inGuestchat - :)
Crystall - yes, thank you Ken
Juan-Carlos - Thanx a million Ken for you time, I enjoyed it greatly
Kenfoose - anytime, my pleasure
Matt2inGuestchat - Ken, ya do much in the way of leps
Viperbyt - Ken: Ever work with Hots?
MarkBagy - dont say it again Randal
Kenfoose - i stopped breeding leps when it got cheaper to buy them
Kenfoose - I don't work with hots too much Viper, just no money in them
Matt2inGuestchat - okies, brb, breaktime..
Crystall - what are leps??