Old snakes

[Simplex]

This is something that i have wondered about for a while now.. But where are the old snakes?

I see the odd 6-7 year old for sale but few and far between. Based on what i have read 15-20 year lifespan can be expected. Well where are these snakes?

Most proven breeders are 06-08 born. That i have seen, and bought. (mine are all 07, 2 different sources)

With the number of babiea being produced and sold each year i assumed older snakes would be available.

Whats happening to them? Are they being kept/loved?(ideal) or... Are they fallomg victim to bad husbandry and lack of owner knowledge?

Just curious?

[aldebono]

I will have to look back in my records but I have a girl I recently got who is over 10 years old I believe.

I would imagine that the hatch year is just getting lost with some of the snakes, and breeders may be hanging on to the older snakes as they have proven (or not/rehomed as pets) to be good breeders.

[Alexandra V]

There's no certain anser to it because everyone will have their different reasons, but my guess would be that people don't see a point in selling their "geriatric" BPs. Either due to the mentality of "Who's going to want to buy a 20-year-old ball?" Or along the lines of "I've had it for 15 years, might as well keep it" type thing. I mean it's comparable to selling very old dogs - would you honestly try to sell a 15 year old dog? Not really. It has been done, but there just isn't much of a market for them.

[el8ch]

I know that there are some oldies here in the community. I believe Homegrownscales has an 11 and 15 yr old and Kitedemon has one around 16.

Check some of the posts here How Old is Your Snake

[PitOnTheProwl]

3 of mine are only 5, 6, and 7 years old
All came to me in the past year.

[el8ch]

I mean it's comparable to selling very old dogs - would you honestly try to sell a 15 year old dog? Not really. It has been done, but there just isn't much of a market for them.

Agreed!

[Simplex]

Just comparing to local classifieds here u see tons and tons of old dogs to be given away or sold. Not with snakes. Id hope ppl are keeping them

[RyanT]

My assumption would be that once they become established adults, they mostly find a permanent spot in the rack. I have a few females that are 10+ years old and I've had them since they were about 2 or 3 years old. You do occasionally see older snakes available. The young ones get passed around more because they're still finding their place in the world.

[snakesRkewl]

The young ones get passed around more because they're still finding their place in the world.

LOL, good description Ryan

I suspect a lot of older ones get sold with no age given just "I believe it's so and so age".
I have 2 that are 10 years old and 1 approaching that, but where are the older snakes?
Darn good question

[Simplex]

Figured id would make for some okay mornimg discussion.