Steve Irwin
Brian Barczyk
Kevin McCurly
Biggest legend to the general public? Steve Irwin, no question in my mind. The only person I can think of for second place is Jeff Corwin and he is a very distant second.
Biggest legend(s) specific to our reptile keeping hobby? I’d say Pete Kahl, Ralph Davis, Kevin McCurly, and Justin Kobylka.
Dave Palumbo definitely deserves a shoutout!
I hope that one day in the future, I might be mentioned, but if not, I will have my Sterlings lol.
Ya it will take me a while to hit on quad heats lol
Can’t wait for u to make baby sterlings I can buy
Justin is a interesting one
Never hear there names brought up enough
I already have. Steve loved all animals, and knew the risks he put himself in. Im positive even while fatally wounded that he still loved that animal, and its a shame many australians went on a stingray hunt to try to “avenge” him, as its the last thing he would have wanted to happen.
I forgot about jeff corwin. He tried to pick up the torch, but for me it was too much “entertainment” I dont think there are many that could match steve irwins unbridled passion for the health safety and respect of all animals. The world truely didnt deserve him, but im glad we had him for the time we did.
Ball pythons being the most common reptile (for good reason) and Justin being at the forefront of it freely sharing a vast amount of information in a professional manner it’s tough to ignore his significance in the hobby. He does stand apart from the others in that he didn’t get started until 2003 and is still actively growing but I felt he deserved a spot on the list regardless .
Yes but we have to remember, the whole point of him going out and “playing” with them to educate us, was to show us that they don’t mean malicious intent.
He walked up and scared the poor ray and it did it on reflex.
We have to love and remember Steve, and remember that he went out by doing what he loved. He wouldn’t have wanted to leave by any other way I don’t think. I know I wouldn’t.
I’d love to go out by something I love doing and expected to happen. Cause at least I wouldn’t be panicked. Just mentally relaxed and accepting. Minus the whole body pain, reflex, survival thing
I couldn’t agree more!!!
Yeah, you’re right. Plus, it’s not fair to put that much blame on an animal that was just doing what it evolved to do.
Ya but I’m my opinion if it’s just because of ball pythons Brian has done more
I forgot to mention Brian. He should definitely be on the list, king of the YouTube vlogers for sure!
Just king of reptile youtube
Yep. This topic is hard to answer. There was lots of amazing pioneers in reptile keeping, and none of them really get noticed enough.
I see a lot of great names on the list. I’m gonna put in a few from the corn snake world. Kathy Love. Don Soderberg. Rich Zuchowski. Charles Pritzel.
What about Bob Clark? Original breeder of albino balls and several Burmese python morphs.
If this were specific to a legend among leopard gecko keepers, it would be Ron Tremper. He’s retired now, but he was in the game for decades and produced many new morphs and combos. The most common strain of albino was produced by him and is named after him.
In general, for all reptiles, I agree with Steve Irwin. As was mentioned, I think anyone else would be someone legendary among reptile keepers and not the general public.
Though, when I think of the person that really fed my love of animals, including many reptiles, when I was a child (I was born in ‘81), Sir David Attenborough comes to mind. I think he deserves an honorable mention.