What do you think makes a species popular?

Niche magazines can do that in so many worlds it is pretty much a constant. Like I hunt and so I read a lot of hunting and gun mags. I remember back when surplus Swedish Mausers were like three for a hundred bucks (back in the 80s) then a Guns and Ammo did an article about how accurate they are and how to sporterize them. They went to a hundered a piece over night, today any orginals in good shape left command big bucks. Any time a new gun comes out or a new round the marketing department makes the full court press to get it in all the gun mags and like wild fire they take off. Me I am happy with my old (made in 1917) 30-06.

With snakes though you can really understand why it works so well. I don't think it is so much that people are convinced by the article that the snake is a great captive so much as it makes they aware of the species and makes them comfortable with the husbandry.

I also think people like to have something different, etc. I know I do that is why I put so much effort into house snakes, they are different and not much work has been done with them yet. There is still so much to find out, learn and create.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by jjspirko

Niche magazines can do that in so many worlds it is pretty much a constant. Like I hunt and so I read a lot of hunting and gun mags.

---

We used to hunt a piece of public land in North Louisiana all the time. It was never that crowded. Someone shot a big buck and got it published in a magazine......now the place is overrun with people.

If you get your reptiles magazine early, watch the kingsnake classifieds. You can make some interesting observations. The new issue is going to showcase Uros.....watch and see how many of the uro adds or want uro ads pop up(or the lack there of a month later).....ha ha....it would be an interesting little experiment....

I just got December today, insanely early, so I can say--in addition to Uros, check Kingsnake for Sailfin dragon ads, next.
Also Brookesia, and monkey-tailed skinks.

If the theory's right, then all 4 of those should show more activity than usual.

I got mine today, too. And I don't even see Uros on the front cover, unless it's under the address label. :P That IS an interesting phenomenon to look into though, Daniel.


And yes...it does seem insanely early to get the December issue 4 days into October...but it's quite typical for Reptiles.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion

I just got December today, insanely early, so I can say--in addition to Uros, check Kingsnake for Sailfin dragon ads, next.
Also Brookesia, and monkey-tailed skinks.

If the theory's right, then all 4 of those should show more activity than usual.

---

Ya....Brookesia would probably be the one to really watch since they are low, low cost when compared to the others. Dwarf chameleons are awesome.

I remember talking to someone just after the crested gecko issue came out and all of the wholesale (buy 10 or more) ads were gone within a week. Pet stores and keepers must have been looking to cash in on the cover animal of the week.

Personally, I noticed ads pop up for fire skinks and mossy frogs when those two issue ran. I had never seen ads for those two before then.

Wow, lots of fascinating responses! I'm really intrigued at how little it has to do with appearance or even docility. Thanks guys, this is really interesting and helpful to wrap my mind around!

I think both appearance and temperment have a huge effect.

Temperment - Consider the two I mentioned Coachwhips and Black Racers both are very pretty snakes. A large black racer is simply stunning honestly but they bite and to me that is the biggest reason they are not kept much. Coachwhips are more common in captive and they are also more docile in time. Even though Coachwhips tame down I have found you are going to bleed a bit with a WC to get them there. CB may be different but I don't know anyone breeding coachs yet. I know a few considering it.

Appearence - Consider Texas Rat Snakes they are just plain muddy looking hence no one seems to want them. They are not really mean if Captive Bred and they are easy to breed. Now some are starting to breed high orange and those are getting a bit of traction, it is all about appearence there and lucy Texas rats were really hot say 7 years ago.

On appearence in my world it is very true of House Snakes. Try to sell a plain old brown Fuliginosus or Maculatus and well it ain't easy. Reds though move, Zululand Capes are easy too or say any hypo or amel will command top dollar.

Well, yeah, I didn't mean to suggest they have NO effect. ;) Just that there's a lot more factors there than I realized, having thought those two would be the end all be all when I started this tread.

btw, saw a couple of baby African house snakes at the expo down here and thought of you! Had a hard time getting a good pic tho.