Where Everybody Going?

I've been here for 5 years now. And I've seen more people leave the hobby in the last 6 months than I've seen leave in the previous 4 or so years.

And the reasons all seem to differ. Financial issues, moving issues, change of passion and so on.

I am just curious if there's really an underlying common reason that's going unspoken or if it's just what it is and it's just coincidense that there are so many in such a short period.

Not sure if its coincidence or not, but I agree, quite a few people seem to have left - and I've only been around here consistently since December.

I've noticed it to. I wonder if it's the drop in value that has driven people out or legislation issues that have people worried. Might just be a normal cycle.

I noticed it too. I also wondered if decline in market prices is the driving force here. I don't want to say that those people were just in it for the money, but if they WERE in it for the money and the money has declined significantly, it would make sense to get out now before they lose any more on their investments...

It seems to be a mix of issues, but from what I have seen so far a lot of it seems like personal or relationship issues (new baby, controlling boyfriend, moving, etc...) vice a money issue (though I am sure that is a factor in some as well).

By the looks of it most people are having changes in life Kids, relationships, moving. I don't understand while snakes will out live most dogs they are treated as a temporary commitment, when clearly they are a long term one.

There's all sorts of reasons that this hobby is a revolving door that never stops...money is a HUGE one. A lot of people get into this seeing dollar signs, and for the overwhelming majority, it never pans out. They don't have the passion to keep the snakes, and when they realize that the mojave male and 4 normal females they bought back in 08 are not going to recoup their investment, they bail. I've seen a guy put quite an impressive collection of 40ish snakes together in a year's time, and one trip to the vet spread his finances too thin and he sold it all off.

Then there's this to consider...forums aren't for everyone, and not everyone is for forums. A LOT of people who keep/breed reptiles don't frequent forums much, if at all.

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Originally Posted by Rob

I don't understand while snakes will out live most dogs they are treated as a temporary commitment, when clearly they are a long term one.

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If it came down to my snakes or my dog, sadly, my snakes would go. The way snakes get tossed around doesn't help the "long term" aspect of snake keeping either.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RobNJ

If it came down to my snakes or my dog, sadly, my snakes would go. The way snakes get tossed around doesn't help the "long term" aspect of snake keeping either.

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I never said people had to pick one over the other. My point was a snakes life span is generally longer then a dogs yet people are so fast to sell/ trade snakes like they are baseball cards. Sadly I think a lot of people just see them as a cool looking object, not the living breathing animal that they are.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Rob

I never said people had to pick one over the other. My point was a snakes life span is generally longer then a dogs yet people are so fast to sell/ trade snakes like they are baseball cards. Sadly I think a lot of people just see them as a cool looking object, not the living breathing animal that they are.

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It probably doesn't help that we call them a collection and not just "my pets". You call someone's pack of dogs a collection and they'll tell you they're not running an art gallery or collecting stamps.

It's also a lot more expensive to get into breeding dogs (provided you do it properly, ie health tests, titles, etc) unless you're working with some crazy morphs.

Not that I don't agree with you, I hate how on my craigslist the most active guy just wants trades for BP morphs... xbox for bp morph, fan items for bp morph, etcetc. They're not trading cards that you can just swap on a whim. They're living breathing animals that might not have higher emotion, but Quetzal definitely seems to associate me and only me with "safety" considering he doesn't seem particularly interested in crawling on anyone else.

Its nothing new. Ive been in it since before the morph crave hit in early 2000. And its the same thing. Only reason it seems like more is because more and more people are involved in it then ever before so by percentages it seems like alot. Im sure economical issues are a concern but more importantlly i think its because the rapid price drops in the basic morphs. Alot of people get into morphs because they see animals that sell for thousands. Then once they get into it they realize its bot so easy to make that kind of money over and over and give up before they have played the game for a while. Its a revolving market. The key is to try and stay with the market and dont let it pass you buy.

It seems to run in cycles, especially on this Fourm. Most of the members I broke into the hobby with are all gone now...

It's always been that way. And it's that way with everything. People get curious about something, they jump in with both feet, they think it's the greatest thing in the world, they invest money, time and resources into it...aaaaaand eventually burn themselves out and bail. I've seen it with animals (breeding reptiles, dogs, cats, etc.)...I've seen it with people collecting things (bikes, hotwheels, firearms, etc.)...I've seen it with cars (I just bough a xxxxxx, it's the greatest car ever) and a few short years later it's a distant memory. Every once in a while, someone finds their true passion, and they stick with it regardless of money, living situations, etc...it's something they stick with forever. For the rest it's just a phase...not that there's anything wrong with that. :D It's how we experience things...you'll never know something isn't right for you if you never try it.

LOL,,,Im still here,, and still loosing $$$$$$$$$$. but I like my snakes!
spooky

To hell with it. Ya cant take it with ya when ya die lol. Spend the money while ya can.

My take on it is that you HAVE to be in it for the love of it. Even big breeders, who do make a living doing it, love their animals. Its their passion. Im not really planning on becoming a huge breeder. My goal is to just breed what i like and produce my own animals. If i can sell them and cover the food and other costs for my snakes then thatd be cool but if not whatever. Obviously im gunna own expensive snakes because most the ones i like are pricey ;), but im not gunna be buying/producing them because theyre worth money...

You know youre in it for the love of it when you see a bp for like $2K and you try and figure out how much youll have to save a week to afford it. But then you see a car or something for $2K and youre like HOLY CRAP i cant afford that!!!
lmfao i find myself doing it all the time. Books for school orrrr jigsaw female... :D

I have to agree with most of your posts, but I do think more people are coming in than leaving the hobby. Alot of my customers never join a forum, it's just not for everyone, I also believe facebook has grown our hobby quite a bit.

I have to say I like the fact that the less passionate and in some cases fakes are leaving the hobby, the people who joined seeing dollar signs and not living breathing beautiful creature's.

Going forward I can't wait to see what the future holds for our great hobby as I don't see it ever going anywhere.... Just getting purer and stronger!!:bow::snake:

Sidenote can't wait to produce my Dreamsicle, Pastel Lavender albino, Lightning Pied and Bumblebee axanthic one day regardless of value.;)

I wonder if it is a bursting bubble. I saw it with Kayaking a few years back there were more kayaks on the water that you could shake a stick at. I always see others on the water, last year it was rare. This season it is looking like it will be more common again. It kinda feels the same to me.

I just got my fist BP and this is my first snake and I love looking at all the morphs and I would love to have a few and I may one day but not one moment goes by when I think about my animals as collectibles or tradable. Even though the term "collection" get s thrown around a lot in the herp world I like to think most truly love their pets. I had someone comment on my new snake and say that "it is a pet that you can just ignore and visit when you want and that is why people have them". My urge to kill rose a few degrees ;) I think there are many undereducated people that get into snakes because they are "macho" and "cool". When they realize that they really have to pay attention to a lot of details on setup and health and consider vet bills etc. they trade or give away their macho pet.

Economy always affects peoples lifestyles too. I wish more people thought about BP's as a 20-30 year commitment. I am content with one and if we find that we can house and afford another then fantastic.

I am happy forums like this are around, even for non-members because the information available here is seriously amazing. I read this forum on and off for 6 months before joining because I had interest but also wanted to join a community that was friendly and helpful. So far the best I have joined and honestly having this awesome resource available provides a lot of peace of mind to new owners. Not everybody that uses forums actually joins them. That is what we won't see as far as new owners and I am sure there are many enthusiasts that just have no interest in forums.

I know a lot of people that are starting to shed their fear and appreciate the beauty of these awesome animals. I know morphs are really cool but honestly even "normal" BP's are stunning. I hope the breeders that were in it for the quick buck stay the :cens0r: away and find another hobby/business.

Sorry for the ramble. Beer started flowing a little early this week. I should read this over but thats not happening. :twisted: