So, Who Actually Buys Morphs?

[MasonC2K]

I have always wanted to know this. You're average joe can't afford most snake morphs. I have only ever seen pastels and albinos in pet stores and even there they are several hundred dollars.

So it seems to me that most of the people that buy expensive morphs are breeders. I just find it hard to imaging some rich guy or socialte going, "I'd like a snake but not an ordinary one. I want one that is unique that most snake owners wouldn't have."

Do I have it wrong?

[Cendalla]

My very first snake was an eastern indigo. It was a gift and not something I would have woke up one day and thought I'll get that. I had her for about 15 years. She was my food loving baby. When I wanted another snake I wanted something smaller. I had a friend with balls (normals and pastels). When I decided I wanted a ball, I wanted a morph that was affordable but not an albino. I spent a month reading and pricing and got myself a mojo.

I think that other than a few cases here and there- most purchases ARE done by the breeders. Its that way in the bird and horse world too but with ball pythons its one specific species with lots of variations.

I do know some people with more money than brains that would by a $20,000 snake just because not many people don't have them. Oh Well.

[kellysballs]

Most of the people we sell morphs to say they want to breed them one day. We have only had a few come back and say they have bred them. But we have had people buy axanthics, spiders, pastels and mojos solely as pets. The most expensive animals purchased from us as a pet was an axanthic a few years ago at $550.00

[BuckeyeBalls]

People pay $1,000 for cats and dogs for pets and never breed them why cant you do the same for a snake?

People buy morphs as pets all the time because they like the way it looks. Some may breed em some may not. But end the end you buy what you like.

[Dexter]

I plan on getting certain morphs, not the most expensive ones out there, but the ones that appeal to me, I may or may not breed them. If I like it I will buy it, same thing with dogs and cats, for other people. The next dog I will be getting will cost me $1000, its a specific breed, with colors and markings I want, I won't be breeding him. He will be pet only, and I will happily fork over the money. Same with a BP that has caught me eye.

[Kymberli]

It's quite likely that I will end up breeding in the next three years or more, but that aside, I would absolutely be willing to pay top dollar for a gorgeous morph to keep solely as a pet. For the same reason I spent thousands on my Tennessee Walking Horse rather then a cheaper horse that serves just the same purpose, it's nice having an exceptional looking animal that you can call your own. It all depends on the individual's taste, income, and what they are willing to spend on a "pet".

[shorty54]

I started off with a Normal BP about 10 years ago. Due to deployments with the military, I had to give it up. I got my son and myself both a Normal BP in 2008. But, once again military movement wouldn't allow me to take it over seas. Well, now I'm done deploying and living in different countries. So, I bought my first morph. My Black Pastel BP. Since then I've added a few morphs and normals to my collection and even got into Colubrids. I do plan on breeding one day and know I have the patience to wait the few years it's going to take. If you just want a morph, get one! If you think you may one day want to breed it. Get a female since they take longer to mature to the size needed for breeding. Just my

[Nektu]

After I bought my pastels I told my wife that I wanted to breed them. Then I bought the pin and can't wait to breed her. After a while I do plan on buying more single morph bp's, but right now anything else is kind of out of reach for me because of price. Maybe in the future I'll get something really nice that I will breed.

[MasonC2K]

Interesting responses. I understand the logic on some of the dog and cat comparisons but to me the snake (and reptile market in general) is a different market altogether. Dogs and cats are mainstream pets. Snakes are niche by comparison.

Also, there's not a standard dog or cat. There are all kinds of different breeds. Snake morphs aren't really analogous to dog and cat breeds IMO. Snake morphs are the same snakes with a different pain job. There's no structural or behavioural differences. Where as different dog and cat breeds has not just different colors and patterns but different sizes, share, and behaviours.

So I am really just curious about the reality of the snake market in general when it comes to morphs and who's buying them.

My lone morph is a pastel which was rescue. I do plan on breeding him someday. I also want a pied and an albino as pets but if I got them I would probably breed them to try and recoup the money since what they are going for one most site is expensive to me.

[Kymberli]

Interesting responses. I understand the logic on some of the dog and cat comparisons but to me the snake (and reptile market in general) is a different market altogether. Dogs and cats are mainstream pets. Snakes are niche by comparison.

Also, there's not a standard dog or cat. There are all kinds of different breeds. Snake morphs aren't really analogous to dog and cat breeds IMO. Snake morphs are the same snakes with a different pain job. There's no structural or behavioural differences. Where as different dog and cat breeds has not just different colors and patterns but different sizes, share, and behaviours.

So I am really just curious about the reality of the snake market in general when it comes to morphs and who's buying them.

My lone morph is a pastel which was rescue. I do plan on breeding him someday. I also want a pied and an albino as pets but if I got them I would probably breed them to try and recoup the money since what they are going for one most site is expensive to me.

I completely understand where you are coming from. If you do not feel comfortable comparing pet snakes to pet dogs and cats, then consider fish.. What purpose do they serve? Why on earth would someone pay a significant sum of money for a creature they can't even hold? Yet, there are keepers who pay thousands of dollars for "designer" fish, which to me might as well be goldfish. Same basic logic to owning high end morphs, in my opinion.