Tutorials I found that Helped and Inspired Me:
I created these 3-D models and creatures because I am inspired by the bubbly personality of my bearded dragon Jojo. My purpose of this project is to show viewers that reptiles are smarter than they may be perceived as by most people. Many pet-owners mistreat reptiles, especially smaller lizards thinking they are good pets to give to children who usually roughly treat them. Many pet-owners who do not research reptiles before purchasing them are also unaware of the special UVA and UVB lights they need as well as specified diets where dried pellets like those in dog and cat food will not satisfy. The mistreatment and torture of these animals often results in irreversible damage to them, metabolic bone disease being one of the most common where the reptiles bones will literally scrunch inward. Some owners will even abandon their reptiles in the wild thinking they will survive but sadly they will most likely starve or freeze to death since most climates in North America are too cold for them. There were a few examples of this here in Boulder where Bearded Dragons were found abandoned. One on a hiking trail clinging to a tree for dear life and starving, the other found in a vegetable garden also malnourished and cold, both rescued but what about the ones who arent? The images of this abuse are disturbing, saddening and disgusting so instead of creating an image of a hurt reptile I instead created one of my healthy little dragon. I hope the image of Jojo head bobbing makes viewers question lizard behavior and further research different reptiles and learn about their care and fascinating behavior so abuse of reptiles can decrease somewhat. I hope the imagery also causes more people to want to adopt and rescue animals in need of their choice (not necessarily reptiles since everyone has an animal best suited for them).
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