Welt der Gifte Greifswald (Closed) Welt der Gifte Greifswald - News and Discussion (2017-2019)
- Thread starter Batto
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@nicholas : so far, so good. I'm just surprised how old-fashioned people are here when it comes to advertising. Announcements published in the local newspapers bring in more clients than online ads. Only young visitors use the online booking option and inform themselves beforehand online in regard to opening times or rates. The majority prefers to call in to ask about the latter two or to book a tour (and shy away when I point them to the online option. Sigh). Visitor feedback is still great; I just wish more would take the time to write a review.
I'm a bit miffed about the local schools; my attempts to motivate their headmasters to book tours for their students have been in vain so far, despite support by individual teachers who have visited the exhibition with their families.
I'm a bit miffed about the local schools; my attempts to motivate their headmasters to book tours for their students have been in vain so far, despite support by individual teachers who have visited the exhibition with their families.
A curious variety of customers in the last few days:
- Children birthday party: a bubbly bunch of 12 year old boys. Funny, easy to impress, but beware the short attention spans (hint: throw in HP references). Strangely political at times ("Why isn't Turkey a part of Europe?"). The accompanying dad was fun and a great tipper.
- College students: as usual, fun and interested, but lousy tippers. Note to single men reading these lines: if you want to win over nice ladies, get yourself a cute baby hognose snake; works as well as a puppy dog, and makes a nice pet (i.e. the snake).
- Three old ladies: exhausting, miserly, overbearing. But also fun at times. Worst tippers so far.
Gila monster figurines = out of stock. I'll have to order new ones for potential ZChatters...
The newspaper advertising works almost too well; today, I had to send away two groups of potential visitors (who read the advertisement, but not the hint to call in first to book a date) due to being outbooked. That made me feel most miserable; I'd be a lousy bouncer...
- Children birthday party: a bubbly bunch of 12 year old boys. Funny, easy to impress, but beware the short attention spans (hint: throw in HP references). Strangely political at times ("Why isn't Turkey a part of Europe?"). The accompanying dad was fun and a great tipper.
- College students: as usual, fun and interested, but lousy tippers. Note to single men reading these lines: if you want to win over nice ladies, get yourself a cute baby hognose snake; works as well as a puppy dog, and makes a nice pet (i.e. the snake).
- Three old ladies: exhausting, miserly, overbearing. But also fun at times. Worst tippers so far.
Gila monster figurines = out of stock. I'll have to order new ones for potential ZChatters...
The newspaper advertising works almost too well; today, I had to send away two groups of potential visitors (who read the advertisement, but not the hint to call in first to book a date) due to being outbooked. That made me feel most miserable; I'd be a lousy bouncer...
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The sauce? I don't get it.
Is tipping a thing in Germany?? You'd be out of luck with me.
HP = Harry Potter.
Unlike the US of A, tipping is not a given in Germany, but the overwhelming majority of my visitors gives tips and donates to the three projects I support. So getting little or no gratuity (or project donations) is kinda unusual. Especially in regard to the old ladies, who took everything that was for free by snatches. Including the free booklets on potential household poisons for babies (grandchildren?).
Unlike the US of A, tipping is not a given in Germany, but the overwhelming majority of my visitors gives tips and donates to the three projects I support. So getting little or no gratuity (or project donations) is kinda unusual. Especially in regard to the old ladies, who took everything that was for free by snatches. Including the free booklets on potential household poisons for babies (grandchildren?).
Ah, Harry Potter. I'm too old to know about that sort of thing. Back in my day wizards had great long beards and pointy hats, they weren't little kids. Bah humbug.
I don't particularly mind tipping if it is "a gift" (so to speak), but if it is basically a demand, as in the USA, then too bad for them. If I went to the USA I'd have to eat at a different place every day because as soon as the waiters found out I wasn't going to tip them they'd start spitting in my food.
If you have free baby Hog-nosed Snakes I'd take one of those.
Given NZ customs' notorious animosity against snakes ("NZ Border Control" is broadcasted on German TV, too, btw), even a free snake would come with a price the second you try to import it...
I'd only have use of it while in Europe...Given NZ customs' notorious animosity against snakes ("NZ Border Control" is broadcasted on German TV, too, btw), even a free snake would come with a price the second you try to import it...
FunkyGibbon
Well-Known Member
A 'Peep Show' reference?
Last week brought good news:
- The upcoming arrival of my latest addition to the exhibition (Hint 1) It's a specimen of a famous venomous Australian species and Hint 2) has never been kept on public display in North and East Germany before) has again attracted the interest of the media: both the NDR TV channel and the local OZ newspaper are going to document its arrival on Thursday. Afterwards, on the same day, the NDR is going to film me instructing zookeepers from a local zoo (and a nice young lady who wants to keep Atheris vipers as a private citizen) in practical aspects of toxic animal husbandry and safe handling. Let's hope this will once more boost public attention for the WdG.
- I received my first bookings by local schools for school trips - which makes me rather happy. ^^
- WdG has been included in the online tourist attraction list of the federal state.
- The regional zoo association (Landeszooverband MV) wants to visit WdG during their annual spring meeting. Looking forward to meeting all local zoo directors in person & successful networking; maybe in the end, WdG can make it to membership status sooner than expected.
- The upcoming arrival of my latest addition to the exhibition (Hint 1) It's a specimen of a famous venomous Australian species and Hint 2) has never been kept on public display in North and East Germany before) has again attracted the interest of the media: both the NDR TV channel and the local OZ newspaper are going to document its arrival on Thursday. Afterwards, on the same day, the NDR is going to film me instructing zookeepers from a local zoo (and a nice young lady who wants to keep Atheris vipers as a private citizen) in practical aspects of toxic animal husbandry and safe handling. Let's hope this will once more boost public attention for the WdG.
- I received my first bookings by local schools for school trips - which makes me rather happy. ^^
- WdG has been included in the online tourist attraction list of the federal state.
- The regional zoo association (Landeszooverband MV) wants to visit WdG during their annual spring meeting. Looking forward to meeting all local zoo directors in person & successful networking; maybe in the end, WdG can make it to membership status sooner than expected.
Very nice; it is probably too much to hope that your omission of the word "snake" was deliberate and that you are going into Funnelweb Spider or Blue-ringed Octopus
but any of the three most famous Australian elapids (Inland Taipan, Coastal Taipan, Death Adder) would make a fine addition to your collection.
Ah, at least you didn't assume that I was going to get a male platypus.
I was actually offered a Blue-ringed Octopus in 2017 and it wasn't too expensive (70€). However, given its short life-span and the costs to keep it safely and well, I opted not to buy it. As for the funnelweb: I already keep Latrodectus hasselti; no need to trouble myself with legally getting Atrax sp.
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I'm proud to announce that from today on, "Welt der Gifte" keeps the first and so far only live Inland taipan in both North and East Germany. Not even major established zoos like the two in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Rostock etc. have showcased this species so far.
Starting early this morning, a film crew from the NDR (North German TV channel) documented the pick-up, transport and final (safe) introduction of the young female specimen to its new home.
Later the day, I trained five zookeepers from a local zoo in the basics of venomous animal husbandry.
And last bit not least, I got a call from the central office of the federal police department that they are interested in the introduction safety course.
Quite a busy day and week so far, but also quite satisfying.
Starting early this morning, a film crew from the NDR (North German TV channel) documented the pick-up, transport and final (safe) introduction of the young female specimen to its new home.
Later the day, I trained five zookeepers from a local zoo in the basics of venomous animal husbandry.
And last bit not least, I got a call from the central office of the federal police department that they are interested in the introduction safety course.
Quite a busy day and week so far, but also quite satisfying.
So how many species of animal does this bring you to?
That's awesome! What are you currently feeding it?I'm proud to announce that from today on, "Welt der Gifte" keeps the first and so far only live Inland taipan in both North and East Germany. Not even major established zoos like the two in Berlin, Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Rostock etc. have showcased this species so far.
Starting early this morning, a film crew from the NDR (North German TV channel) documented the pick-up, transport and final (safe) introduction of the young female specimen to its new home.
Later the day, I trained five zookeepers from a local zoo in the basics of venomous animal husbandry.
And last bit not least, I got a call from the central office of the federal police department that they are interested in the introduction safety course.
Quite a busy day and week so far, but also quite satisfying.
Take a look at ZTL & add 5 spider species, 3 scorpion species and 1 giant centipede species.
So 37 total! (9 invertebrates, 1 fish, 5 amphibians and 22 reptiles) Thanks Batto, congratulations with your most recent addition
Splendid news! I’ll be sure to watch that documentary. It must be fantastic to see your Establishment slowly growing.
I know it may be a bit early to say this, but do you have any further expansion plans now that the concept has worked?
I know it may be a bit early to say this, but do you have any further expansion plans now that the concept has worked?
Thank you all for your support.
I'll consider an expansion once all circumstances have been settled.
37 sounds about right; I need more fish.
I'll consider an expansion once all circumstances have been settled.
37 sounds about right; I need more fish.
Since the animal arrived just today, I'll wait a while before I feed her mice.
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