Why are so many breeding giants?

[jglass38]

My apologies for hijacking April's photo thread. Here was my question:

Not trying to be controversial but I just have to ask, why is anyone breeding Anacondas? What is the market for a snake that grows that big? I have the same question about Retics, Rocks and Burms. Especially after living in Florida and seeing that the Everglades area has become inundated with snakes that just got too big and people just dropped off. I don't get it and I would love someone to explain it to me.

J

[elevatethis]

I don't think that the people who breed giants (NERD, Bob Clark, among others) are in any way liable for the irresponsible actions of other people who keep them, such as a keeper in FL who releases a large python or boa. The reason why stuff like that happens is simple: ignorance. Either ignorance towards the kind of animal they are buying at the start or ignorance to the extent of something like, "well, its ok, I'll just release it when it gets too big for me to handle."

There are those out there that responsibly keep some of the giant species. There are a few out there who regularly attempt to ruin it for the rest.

[jglass38]

Listen, I would have the same question for people who breed Pit Bulls. Yes its different but in many ways the same. Pit Bulls, whether trained to be agressive or not, as they mature tend to develop a more agressive streak than say, a poodle. There is a reason so many Pit Bulls end up in shelters and are euthanized. With the giant snakes, they are sold to people, who are many times not informed about how big they get. Clearly, the average snake owner is not going to have the means or ability to own a giant snake and provide care for its entire life. So getting back to my question, why are so many people breeding them? Did any of that make sense?

[digitalkitteh]

I've met some mean poodles in my time Poodles are smaller and able to do less damage then say a pit bull. Raised right, Pit Bulls can be wonderful family pets.

-Crissy

[lurch]

Why do you think they breed giant snakes. There is a market for them. If there was no market for them, then no one would continue to breed them.

[elevatethis]

Why do you think they breed giant snakes. There is a market for them. If there was no market for them, then no one would continue to breed them.

Simple, true.

[JLC]

"Why" is kind of a useless question here, I believe. I don't mean that to imply that you don't have valid opinions on the matter...but the "why" of it doesn't matter, does it? Some people do it because there is a market for it, as has already been pointed out. Some people genuinely love these animals and breed them for the sheer challenge and joy of it. Some may see it as some sort of conservation effort. Different breeders are going to have different reasons and motivations.


The real question, perhaps, should be: How can we make sure that all giant snakes in the pet-trade end up in the hands of responsible, educated owners? No easy answer for that one, I'm afraid.

[daniel1983]

A better question is why are so many people buying giant pythons?

Just wondering....What do you consider a giant snake?

[xdeus]

A better question is why are so many people buying giant pythons?

I think a lot of the customers don't know they're giant pythons when they buy them, or at least don't know what is needed to care for them when they turn into giants.

[jglass38]

I think people dont know the care requirements or size they will get to. I think the people breeding them take advantage of it. Maybe the real question IS how can it be regulated? I consider giants to be rocks, retics, burms and anacondas.