What's New in the Hobby??

the hottest thing in BP's right now is the Storm Trooper by JD Constriction. so far he's only produced 1, but hopefully he proves that he's got something and more are on the way.

IMO the hottest trends is Ghost/Hypo. this recessive gene is proving to be a fantastic color lightener and brightener. and i think Banana's are still good but breeders are trending towards Banana Pieds and those who have already had Banana Pieds are producing second generations with extra genes - Banana Enchi Pieds, Banana Cinny Pieds, etc.

What about on the legal front? I saw on a different thread that HSUS is still acting up...have there been any large developments of late?

Welcome back, Meph. I am in the same boat, as I have not been on in about 2 years. I do know about the bananas tho... when I went to the Daytona show in 2013, people were snatchin up stacks of bananas at about 6k. I got my pastel banana a few months ago for $200 at the White Plains show. I think clowns are still holding on, and pied combos. I myself still breed as a hobbyist, but only on a very small scale...like 1 or two clutches a year. I breed for certain combos Id like to have in my personal collection. And honestly, most of my hatchlings go to people who just want a "more exotic looking" ball python as a cool pet.

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Im curious to know why you guys/gals say "Hobby" when talking about owning BPs. I own only 1 BP but Im not a hobbiest. She is apart of my family just as much as my dog is. Since I own a dog is she considered a "Hobby dog" Now Im not saying anything negative nor trying to pick a fight or anything in that regards just I dont understand how owing snakes is a hobby if your a passionate pet owner....Maybe Im way off base

For me, when I had one ball python it was a pet. Same even when I had 3, then 4... Now I have 15 Ball pythons and 3 Boas, and it is more of a relaxing and exciting hobby. I think the "hobby" aspect is the breeding portion, you are buying these snakes, for their own unique beauty, but at the same time you want them for what "living art" they can help to produce in the future. When I got my first Ball I would hold her every night, walk around campus, play cards, she was always out and about. Now my wife and I might hold one or two of them a night while we are watching TV, walking around the yard etc. We definitely have favorites that we get out more, but they still don't get out more than twice a week normally, plus cleaning. Our living room is filled with the racks and PVC cages for the boas, so we can watch them move around explore etc in the evenings. So I don't know, I think my relationship with the animals has changed somewhat as I have learned their habits and behaviors, some of mine hate being out, (AKA HERA THE FIRE BALL PYTHON) so I generally respect her wishes and only get her out during cleaning, she eats well, and I get to watch her grow, but I don't consider her a pet as much as my pastel I have had for 6 years and loves to be out and explore. So stream of consciousness done. Thats my thoughts on why its a hobby.

Welcome back Meph and 4thesnake... Good to see familiar names again. I have been into reptiles since this sites inception.. As I am one of the founding members. I have seen alot of people come and go in the reptile world,and alot has changed.

IMO, its because of the influx of those into the hobby wanting to make a buck, so they bought up stock, began to breed alot of snakes..and they all managed to flood the market w multiple morphs. When one flood the market w them, it simply brings down their value because supply is greater than the demand.

Years ago, the spider morphs were going for thousands... I purchased my killer bee this January for $150... Huge drop because supply is more than demand. I think this is just what happens in a market where so many are able to produce alot of diff morph bps. But really, this just allows more average ppl to acquire better looking animals than we use to be able,so you wont hear me complain. And for those of us that are still into reptiles, we will stay bc most are into them for the love of the animal, not to make a buck as so many went into it w that idea years ago...

Those make a buck ppl, were their own and the hobbys worst enemies. And it now shows in the market.

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I'd consider reptile (or any exotic animal) keeping a 'hobby' because you spend a lot of money on it simply for fun. Also possibly because it's not something that a lot of people do.

When I used to keep cichlids I considered having fish a hobby. I considered my collecting (action figures and such) a hobby. My gaming is a hobby. I don't really think it being a hobby has anything to do with making money, just the spending of it. haha
(just my opinion of course)