** ball python industry going under????**

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Originally Posted by SilverDemon

Many breeders will wholesale normals and sometimes hets that are in lesser demand to pet stores. There simply isn't a huge amount of demand for normals (ESPECIALLY normal males) in the breeding side of things, and many pet stores (those that actually care about animals) would rather buy local captive hatched babies that are in good shape and they don't have to pay shipping for, instead of babies from Africa.

Never underestimate normals, though. Simply because they aren't in high demand with breeders, doesn't mean that they can't be wonderful pets. Many ball python owners start out with a normal from a pet store, and they learn how great the snakes are from that.

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Actually thats how I started. My husband actually begged for a BP. I told him, "NO way, they are mean!", his response was, "You get all those shoes you want!" So needless to say, I bought him a BP for his Birthday. Sad thing is that, it for some reason hated him. If I was in the room, it would try to crawl away to get on my arm or my neck or something. Its the one pictured above that I posted. Anyway, after that, he showed me all the different morphs, and I was hooked. He wanted to start breeding, so I saved up money and purchased a few morphs and after a couple years he we are our first season. Only, my husband is kinda "fed up" I guess he didn't realize that its a LOT of patience and I am VERY clean, I have a set schedule that I do EVERYTHING regarding my snakes. Same time every day for spot cleaning, water check, temp check, etc etc. Anyway, he kinda ditched me with regards to the snakes, and here I am....loving them more than ever!!!! lol Is it sad to be more in love with my snakes than I am with my husband???? lol :O:rofl:

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Originally Posted by mattchibi

Lol for someone who knows "crackheads" irl, I dont feel comfortable comparing something so beautiful as ball pythons to something as destructive as crack. I would more likely compare ball pythons to candy or chocolate. Once you have one bite, you gotta have another. That being said, I know it was just an exaggeration :P

In terms of the market and what that guy was saying about the market going under, I think a lot of breeders these days can manage to sell all of their stock through a website and forums. The pet store owners who have physical locations where people can go to "shop" are quickly losing money because its not really that sustainable because cost of operation is SO high with renting a unit (unless youre a top breeder where youre from). Upkeeping a website keeps costs way down and I think many breeders these days just devote a "snake room" in their own house. Dont lose hope! I am hoping to breed too in the future, and as long as you dont depend on snakes for your income and keep it as a hobby/project on the side, then you will always be alright!

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Actually the guy on the first page of my thread stated something about BP are like Crack as far as being so addictive. My response was to that comment he made. Which im not a crackhead but I get what he is saying...

Anyway, I totally agree with you with the pet stores, etc. My family was in a serious car accident this past Christmas with a Semi Trailer off the Interstate. So im just staying at home at the moment and not really needing to worry about money currently so decided to devote my time to this. Im also a mechanic so when Im not with cars then im with snakes. :)

"Snake Room", thats actually what I have. My 3rd bedroom is closed off and it has my racks etc. :snake:

the UK market is also fairly solid...

this year i've hatched approximately 200, and have already sold about 2/3rds (130) of them
with about another 10 on payment plans that have yet to be completed/fully paid-up

if this is what is your pet-store guy means by the ball python market is going under, i hope it goes under every year!

And your own experience is a great example of how the ball python industry is FAR from sinking! They're like potato chips, once people see how great they are, and all the different flavors, they can't stick with just one.

More people are turning to keeping ball pythons probably because of the economy, coupled with slowly dying stereotypes and myths about snakes. Ball pythons are a good sized snake that are easy to care for, as well as inexpensive in their requirements. For those without a lot of spare time, which is becoming more and more common in this increasingly fast-paced world, they make a great pet. I doubt they'll ever get as popular as cats or dogs, but they are becoming a viable alternative. And morphs will help in that regard (the options available mean that there's something for everyone).

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Originally Posted by SilverDemon

And your own experience is a great example of how the ball python industry is FAR from sinking! They're like potato chips, once people see how great they are, and all the different flavors, they can't stick with just one.

More people are turning to keeping ball pythons probably because of the economy, coupled with slowly dying stereotypes and myths about snakes. Ball pythons are a good sized snake that are easy to care for, as well as inexpensive in their requirements. For those without a lot of spare time, which is becoming more and more common in this increasingly fast-paced world, they make a great pet. I doubt they'll ever get as popular as cats or dogs, but they are becoming a viable alternative. And morphs will help in that regard (the options available mean that there's something for everyone).

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Very true. One of the reasons I love them are because they are so independent in the sense that they are not like a Dog where you have to put the dog out every couple hours. Some days Im so busy that I just go in the room, do my usual check and thats it. Some days I hold each one for about 10-15min. as well as my usual daily check. My Boxer on the other hand, is just as bad as my needy cat. Are cats not supposed to be independent??? Mine is more attatched to me than my 5 yr old! Anyway, I love snakes because they are so easy to care for (for the most part), if you don't hold them they are totally ok with it. Very great pets for people "on the go" or to busy for the average needy cat and dog.

tejanastar the pic you posted looks good but i'm pretty its normal.
Wow did you say $3.99 for feeders...ouch!
If you were close id sell you all the rats you need for way cheaper...mine are always dropping babies but do tend to slow up a bit in the fall, but thank god the snakes slow up too. I can finally start freezing stuff again.