So, Who Actually Buys Morphs?

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Originally Posted by Kymberli

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.

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I understand that. But I think you are missing the point of what I am asking/seeking. I am not trying to understand why people by morphs; I am asking who is buying.

My personal observation and assumptions are that, mostly, it's breeders buying/selling morphs from/to other breeders with exceptions of individual non-breeders with enough disposable income to buy them.

But since I am not a true breeder (just a dreamer to do so one day), I do not know this for sure. So I am just trying to get a idea from actual pro breeders who their real customers are and what category do they fall under. I've gotten at least one response along those lines and I appreciate that.

Hopefully that clears things up a bit.

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Originally Posted by BuckeyeBalls

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

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^^^ x2

Are there a lot of high-priced morphs going to breeders? Of course! Are there a lot of high-priced morphs going to strictly pet-owners? Not as much...

Why?

Because, if you look at the statistics - there's a lot less people owning ball pythons who don't have plans to breed. A good number of ball python owners are breeders. Doesn't mean they don't treat the ball python as a pet.

So, what exactly is the question? That only breeders buy high-end morphs? Not really. Because, majority of the Joe Schmoes don't like snakes. The ones that do like snakes and can afford to buy one - do. Like Nicolas Cage, for example - he used to have some pretty expensive cobras until his neighbor sued him for endangerment to the community, so he had to give the snakes to the zoo.

I have sold 150.00 morphs to people who want them for breeding and I have sold snakes over 1K to people that have no aspirations of breeding. So it runs the gambit, it really takes all types..Some folks wont blink at spending 2800.00 on a new 27" iMac but can't imagine spending the same on a snake..

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

I have sold 150.00 morphs to people who want them for breeding and I have sold snakes over 1K to people that have no aspirations of breeding. So it runs the gambit, it really takes all types..Some folks wont blink at spending 2800.00 on a new 27" iMac but can't imagine spending the same on a snake..

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My next-door neighbor spent almost $10K on his gigantic salt-water fish tank and thinks I'm crazy for spending $400 on a snake.

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Originally Posted by anatess

My next-door neighbor spent almost $10K on his gigantic salt-water fish tank and thinks I'm crazy for spending $400 on a snake.

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It's like I always tell people everybody has their thing, watches, shoes, cars, computers..mine just happens to be snakes..

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

It's like I always tell people everybody has their thing, watches, shoes, cars, computers..mine just happens to be snakes..

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If my husband and children wouldn't disown me, I would sell all the snakes to buy shoes...
:rolleye2:

actually my ball pythons the only ones ive personally bought were the morphs the dinker and hets were given to me and the genetic banded was a rescue

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

I understand that. But I think you are missing the point of what I am asking/seeking. I am not trying to understand why people by morphs; I am asking who is buying.

My personal observation and assumptions are that, mostly, it's breeders buying/selling morphs from/to other breeders with exceptions of individual non-breeders with enough disposable income to buy them.

But since I am not a true breeder (just a dreamer to do so one day), I do not know this for sure. So I am just trying to get a idea from actual pro breeders who their real customers are and what category do they fall under. I've gotten at least one response along those lines and I appreciate that.

Hopefully that clears things up a bit.

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i get what youre asking. ive often wondered the same thing. it seems that breeding endus up going in circles. breed something cool so someone will buy it so you can buy something cool and breed more. the hobby perpetuates itself which is a good thing. as competitive as it is to come up with the "next best thing" it never ceases to amaze me how eager people are to help each other. its what makes this entire endeavor fun and enjoyable.

people keep comparing expensive morphs to dogs, cats, horses, art etc. well you cant breed art but i think these snakes are art. they arent a dollar sign for most people. but even if they are bred solely for money for some it still helps to ensure fresh genes and more possibilities for new morphs or new variations of existing morphs.

paradox's (sp) do it for me. i love that there is something going on that nobody can explain. it takes out the human factor to some extent. any way i went way off topic.
the people who buy morphs, any morphs, are varied. youll have the extreme breeder to the random snake owner to someone who doesnt have a clue as to what they even have. which is why i check craigslist constantly! :D

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Originally Posted by 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.

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I agree, I bought my first ball python but when I did I wasnt looking for something everyone can get or buy at petco etc. I bought my first Mojave for 325 and bought my first dog which cost me 1000. I guess it all depends on what people want but certain people don't want to be compared to other joe's... You know.