The Ball Python Industry

What do you feel is lacking in the Ball Python Industry?

What do you feel are great things about it?

In my opinion the respect and class that breeders like Bob Clark, Dan and Colette Sutherland, Ozzieboids, and others brought to it are missing. It appears that most breeders now think it's cool to be unshaved, unkempt and dirty.

The most awesome thing is the numerous morphs that are being discovered, and the potential that remains to make discoveries.

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

What do you feel is lacking in the Ball Python Industry?

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Lacking? Well for one control on the part of the smaller breeder. I think RDR, NERD, BHB and a few others have exhibited control well. In their control of the number of animals and the makings of animals in the market, where would Phantom prices be if RDR wanted to see a phantom in every collection. Or would we be still be dieing over the crystal ball if that special female was given away from the get go take super striper's and some of the other stuff floating around that is still back door, under the table stuff where would that stuff be with out control they'd? be right there with pastels and some of the others quickly approaching corn snake morph prices.
I feel that there needs to be more light shed on what a person needs to understand and have knowledge of before becoming a "basement breeder" no offense Brian :P. I think if people could stifle their greed/excitement/whatever long enough to learn what it takes to breed, not just pairing and incubating but the business aspect of it the market would be far more stable than it is.

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What do you feel are great things about it?

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I love the endless possibilities with the animals. I love the friends/acquaintances I have made in this hobby. I love the fact that I can call Kara or Adam or Tim or Sean and shoot the breeze and get just as excited about their albino pin or Pin het axanthic as I am about my het pied girl hitting 600 grams.
Its great that a known Herper can stand before the Texas State Legislation and not be looked at as an odd ball but rather a learned person who's input is needed to help pass laws. I love that an estimated 10 million people in the US own reptiles. I love that we as herpers/breeder/keepers have an animal like the ball python that is popular enough to reach the public with our hobby in a positive way.

I love that people Like Brian and Kev and Adam and Kara and so many others have worked so hard to build not just the ball industry but the image that they are caring animal lovers who have merely found away to live the dream of doing what you love to earn a living.

I am glad the names in the industry have set the bar high with such a great example for people like me and others who want to follow in their footsteps. With out that hight it would take no discipline or effort to achieve.

Sorry if I rambled

well said freaky dinky froggie man :P i concur

freakie frog said it all!!!!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

What do you feel is lacking in the Ball Python Industry?

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The industry lacks seperation from the hobby. Sometimes it seems like they are one in the same with so many people hobbiest focused on producing and selling their animals and showing concern about the status of the 'market'.

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

What do you feel are great things about it?

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The animals :D They just do their thing...and they do a good job at it!

...the people make everything else complicated with their focus on 'industry' when they should be focusing on their ball pythons ;)

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Lacking? Well for one control on the part of the smaller breeder. I think RDR, NERD, BHB and a few others have exhibited control well. In their control of the number of animals and the makings of animals in the market, where would Phantom prices be if RDR wanted to see a phantom in every collection. Or would we be still be dieing over the crystal ball if that special female was given away from the get go take super striper's and some of the other stuff floating around that is still back door, under the table stuff where would that stuff be with out control they'd? be right there with pastels and some of the others quickly approaching corn snake morph prices.
I feel that there needs to be more light shed on what a person needs to understand and have knowledge of before becoming a "basement breeder" no offense Brian :P. I think if people could stifle their greed/excitement/whatever long enough to learn what it takes to breed, not just pairing and incubating but the business aspect of it the market would be far more stable than it is.



I love the endless possibilities with the animals. I love the friends/acquaintances I have made in this hobby. I love the fact that I can call Kara or Adam or Tim or Sean and shoot the breeze and get just as excited about their albino pin or Pin het axanthic as I am about my het pied girl hitting 600 grams.
Its great that a known Herper can stand before the Texas State Legislation and not be looked at as an odd ball but rather a learned person who's input is needed to help pass laws. I love that an estimated 10 million people in the US own reptiles. I love that we as herpers/breeder/keepers have an animal like the ball python that is popular enough to reach the public with our hobby in a positive way.

I love that people Like Brian and Kev and Adam and Kara and so many others have worked so hard to build not just the ball industry but the image that they are caring animal lovers who have merely found away to live the dream of doing what you love to earn a living.

I am glad the names in the industry have set the bar high with such a great example for people like me and others who want to follow in their footsteps. With out that hight it would take no discipline or effort to achieve.

Sorry if I rambled

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That too!:)

The only thing bad about the industry is the people who are in it strictly for $.

Most breeders genuinely care and enjoy the animals but some importers, for example, put the many animals in horrific conditions to make a quick buck.

The great thing is there are now so many beautiful, healthy CB snakes and an amazing amount of morphs to enjoy and collect. They are now more affordable than ever to more people and the hobby will only increase in popularity.:snake:

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

Lacking? Well for one control on the part of the smaller breeder. I think RDR, NERD, BHB and a few others have exhibited control well. In their control of the number of animals and the makings of animals in the market, where would Phantom prices be if RDR wanted to see a phantom in every collection. Or would we be still be dieing over the crystal ball if that special female was given away from the get go take super striper's and some of the other stuff floating around that is still back door, under the table stuff where would that stuff be with out control they'd? be right there with pastels and some of the others quickly approaching corn snake morph prices.
I feel that there needs to be more light shed on what a person needs to understand and have knowledge of before becoming a "basement breeder" no offense Brian :P. I think if people could stifle their greed/excitement/whatever long enough to learn what it takes to breed, not just pairing and incubating but the business aspect of it the market would be far more stable than it is.

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If you're referring people who get into it hoping to make a quick buck, then I agree with you. But if you're referring to people who breed for a hobby, and frequently breed to make stuff they can't afford, then I disagree. There are several morphs that I can't afford, so I bought the ingredients to make them. So the ones that I don't plan on keeping I'll try to sell, hopefully make some money back, but realistically that's not gonna happen. Prices are going to go down; as there's more supply, prices fall. And to a certain extent I'm somewhat glad that they are because many morphs that weren't previously affordable by people are (especially those who are in it for the love of the snakes). But again, I agree 110% with you about people who do it for all the wrong reasons; they not only ruin the market, but tarnish the hobby as a whole.

Quote:

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I love the endless possibilities with the animals. I love the friends/acquaintances I have made in this hobby. I love the fact that I can call Kara or Adam or Tim or Sean and shoot the breeze and get just as excited about their albino pin or Pin het axanthic as I am about my het pied girl hitting 600 grams.
Its great that a known Herper can stand before the Texas State Legislation and not be looked at as an odd ball but rather a learned person who's input is needed to help pass laws. I love that an estimated 10 million people in the US own reptiles. I love that we as herpers/breeder/keepers have an animal like the ball python that is popular enough to reach the public with our hobby in a positive way.

I love that people Like Brian and Kev and Adam and Kara and so many others have worked so hard to build not just the ball industry but the image that they are caring animal lovers who have merely found away to live the dream of doing what you love to earn a living.

I am glad the names in the industry have set the bar high with such a great example for people like me and others who want to follow in their footsteps. With out that hight it would take no discipline or effort to achieve.

Sorry if I rambled

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Agreed.

I'm not sure that the industry is lacking anything. It's the perfect example of a free market. You have the big guys who have been in the business for years, and, consequently, have many of the biggest morphs. And then you have the little guys who start into the market... they're the ones that keep the market going, keep the prices low enough for new people to break in.

It's a lot like the airline business (studied it as a minor in college ;) ) After deregulation, many of the big business airlines found themselves scrambling to figure out how to keep their costs down with all the new airlines entering the business---the industry went from having like 8 airlines to around 400. Things have evened out a bit now---ain't competition beautiful???---and you now have a variety to pick from: you can get top notch, first class service for a pretty penny on one of the big boy airlines... or, you can go with a cheaper airline ticket, and not have an assigned seat (fight for the window seat!).

Same thing in the reptile industry... you pay a big buck for good stock, or you take a chance on a little guy. It's capitalism in action, and it's awesome!

LOL... did I get off topic?