So, Who Actually Buys Morphs?

I have always wanted to know this. You're average joe can't afford most snake morphs. I have only ever seen pastels and albinos in pet stores and even there they are several hundred dollars.

So it seems to me that most of the people that buy expensive morphs are breeders. I just find it hard to imaging some rich guy or socialte going, "I'd like a snake but not an ordinary one. I want one that is unique that most snake owners wouldn't have."

Do I have it wrong?

My very first snake was an eastern indigo. It was a gift and not something I would have woke up one day and thought I'll get that. I had her for about 15 years. She was my food loving baby. When I wanted another snake I wanted something smaller. I had a friend with balls (normals and pastels). When I decided I wanted a ball, I wanted a morph that was affordable but not an albino. I spent a month reading and pricing and got myself a mojo.

I think that other than a few cases here and there- most purchases ARE done by the breeders. Its that way in the bird and horse world too but with ball pythons its one specific species with lots of variations.

I do know some people with more money than brains that would by a $20,000 snake just because not many people don't have them. Oh Well.

Most of the people we sell morphs to say they want to breed them one day. We have only had a few come back and say they have bred them. But we have had people buy axanthics, spiders, pastels and mojos solely as pets. The most expensive animals purchased from us as a pet was an axanthic a few years ago at $550.00

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.

I plan on getting certain morphs, not the most expensive ones out there, but the ones that appeal to me, I may or may not breed them. If I like it I will buy it, same thing with dogs and cats, for other people. The next dog I will be getting will cost me $1000, its a specific breed, with colors and markings I want, I won't be breeding him. He will be pet only, and I will happily fork over the money. Same with a BP that has caught me eye.

It's quite likely that I will end up breeding in the next three years or more, but that aside, I would absolutely be willing to pay top dollar for a gorgeous morph to keep solely as a pet. For the same reason I spent thousands on my Tennessee Walking Horse rather then a cheaper horse that serves just the same purpose, it's nice having an exceptional looking animal that you can call your own. It all depends on the individual's taste, income, and what they are willing to spend on a "pet".

I started off with a Normal BP about 10 years ago. Due to deployments with the military, I had to give it up. I got my son and myself both a Normal BP in 2008. But, once again military movement wouldn't allow me to take it over seas. Well, now I'm done deploying and living in different countries. So, I bought my first morph. My Black Pastel BP. Since then I've added a few morphs and normals to my collection and even got into Colubrids. I do plan on breeding one day and know I have the patience to wait the few years it's going to take. If you just want a morph, get one! If you think you may one day want to breed it. Get a female since they take longer to mature to the size needed for breeding. Just my :twocents:

After I bought my pastels I told my wife that I wanted to breed them. Then I bought the pin and can't wait to breed her. After a while I do plan on buying more single morph bp's, but right now anything else is kind of out of reach for me because of price. Maybe in the future I'll get something really nice that I will breed.

Interesting responses. I understand the logic on some of the dog and cat comparisons but to me the snake (and reptile market in general) is a different market altogether. Dogs and cats are mainstream pets. Snakes are niche by comparison.

Also, there's not a standard dog or cat. There are all kinds of different breeds. Snake morphs aren't really analogous to dog and cat breeds IMO. Snake morphs are the same snakes with a different pain job. There's no structural or behavioural differences. Where as different dog and cat breeds has not just different colors and patterns but different sizes, share, and behaviours.

So I am really just curious about the reality of the snake market in general when it comes to morphs and who's buying them.

My lone morph is a pastel which was rescue. I do plan on breeding him someday. I also want a pied and an albino as pets but if I got them I would probably breed them to try and recoup the money since what they are going for one most site is expensive to me.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MasonC2K

Interesting responses. I understand the logic on some of the dog and cat comparisons but to me the snake (and reptile market in general) is a different market altogether. Dogs and cats are mainstream pets. Snakes are niche by comparison.

Also, there's not a standard dog or cat. There are all kinds of different breeds. Snake morphs aren't really analogous to dog and cat breeds IMO. Snake morphs are the same snakes with a different pain job. There's no structural or behavioural differences. Where as different dog and cat breeds has not just different colors and patterns but different sizes, share, and behaviours.

So I am really just curious about the reality of the snake market in general when it comes to morphs and who's buying them.

My lone morph is a pastel which was rescue. I do plan on breeding him someday. I also want a pied and an albino as pets but if I got them I would probably breed them to try and recoup the money since what they are going for one most site is expensive to me.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

Quote:

---

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?

---

^^^ 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..

Quote:

---

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..

---

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.

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

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..

---

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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

Quote:

---

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.

---

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.

I think the biggest portion of morph buyers are hobbyist like me.
I produce some animals every year, but have no intentions of quitting the career job that pays the bills.
The small time breeding that I do is the highlight of my herp hobby.

Just my opinion. Kind of a strange thread. No pics!
http://i685.photobucket.com/albums/v...nakes004re.jpg