Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
I voted for this choice.
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Captive breeding will increase ball python popularitiy; therefore increasing importation.
I think the puplarity and the decrease in morph prices will fuel increased importation. As people try to find the next new high priced morph, they will import by the tens of thousands in the hopes of finding it.
Also, lets face reality. A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.
I don't think we are anywhere near import levels coming down. I believe you will see them rise signifigantly over the next few years.
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPJ
I voted for this choice.
I think the puplarity and the decrease in morph prices will fuel increased importation. As people try to find the next new high priced morph, they will import by the tens of thousands in the hopes of finding it.
Also, lets face reality. A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.
I don't think we are anywhere near import levels coming down. I believe you will see them rise signifigantly over the next few years.
never thought of it as finding the hot new morph. good way to put it!
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
I wonder how many really new hot base morphs are yet to be found however?
There's only so much visual variability in a population. I wonder if we are at the stage were the amount of base morphs yet to be discovered is few and far between. Most of the new morphs are combo or designer morphs.
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
How many variables are in cornsnakes? They were once a wild species only. Ball pythons have the same potential.
And by continueing to say "non-feeding" and "not shed yet" you discount the many importers that DO take good care of their product. There are more and more that make sure they feed a couple times, and are healthy before they sell. Why? Because it's a selling point.
Wolfy
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mendel's Balls
I wonder how many really new hot base morphs are yet to be found however?
There's only so much visual variability in a population. I wonder if we are at the stage were the amount of base morphs yet to be discovered is few and far between. Most of the new morphs are combo or designer morphs.
Look on the RDR site and he lists quite a few that are unique but has not yet had the chance to prove them out. You can bet some of the other big breeders such as NERD and PK are working with animals like this just to see.
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
Quote:
Originally Posted by SPJ
A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.
yeah that was me when i first started snake keeping, i learned a lot since then. even my dad would've told me to do the same thing, "why dont you get this one? it's the the same snake but cheaper".
Re: Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?
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Originally Posted by Pork Chops N' Corn Bread
I'm sure importation will slow dramatically over time. The word gets around that wild caught are not great captives, fewer people will therefor support the importers of them. Will it ever stop completley? Not likely in the near future. Fresh blood is always a good thing for any project from what I hear. With the increased number of ball pythons being produced in the US, the demand for wild caught will slowly slope to a trickle I would think. I am no expert at the ball python economy but this is just what all the economic and buisness classes has put in my mind.
There's a huge difference in wild caught and captive hatched. The bulk of the importations are captive hatched.
Purchase from a reputable distributor who hydrates, tests for and treats parasites and establishes a feeding routine and CH are wonderful animals, just as healthy as a CBB snake and just as reliable a feeder.
If I turned my nose up to CH animals, I wouldn't have Pretzel and Mackenzie in my collection today - two of my animals that get the most comments on their unique looks.
They are AWESOME captives! :D
