Thinking of stepping away from balls.

[decensored]

I'm sorry you don't want variety. Honestly, people who keep nothing but ball pythons are more rock fans than reptile keepers in my book. I've been to a few expos, and the most commonly bred and produced animals are : Balls, Corns, Beardies, and Leopard Geckos. Boring, take no brain to take care of properly...

Hmm, You should take a peek at your address bar.

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. . .

hahaha That's the problem with threads like these.

I completely respect the OP in this circumstance, but frankly threads based on personal reflection often turn into debates.

[MMReptiles]

That's the thing, I don't care that I'm on a ball python site, I'll post here regardless, my opinion is just as valid as anyone else's. That being said- to the guy that asked me "if you keep fish, you're a fish keeper right?" - Nope not really. Having a goldfish doesn't make you a fish keeper, it makes you some guy who owns a goldfish, maybe a few.

That being said, if ball pythons were literally worth nothing- do you think think the vast majority of people would breed/keep them in such large number? Really, sure you'd maybe have a few as pets, but you sure wouldn't have racks and racks of them, and incubators lined up. Very few people have passion to set into something like that just because they like the animal. That's the vast majority of why ball pythons are popular- because of their price tags and the fact you can make a retarded amount of money very easily with them. How many people buy morphs based on what they like? Very few, most buy based on what will sell, to produce better combos to produce higher dollar snakes.

Most reptile keepers I know, private hobbyists, who just have a collection of reptiles- have a large variety of animals, not based on money, but the enjoyment of other species. Sorry, but anyone who thinks the reason BPs are so popular is for any other reason than $$$$ is lying to themselves.

[decensored]

That being said, if ball pythons were literally worth nothing- do you think think the vast majority of people would breed/keep them in such large number? Really, sure you'd maybe have a few as pets, but you sure wouldn't have racks and racks of them, and incubators lined up. Very few people have passion to set into something like that just because they like the animal. That's the vast majority of why ball pythons are popular- because of their price tags and the fact you can make a retarded amount of money very easily with them. How many people buy morphs based on what they like? Very few, most buy based on what will sell, to produce better combos to produce higher dollar snakes.

Ball Python's have a big price tag BECAUSE of their popularity. They are popular because there is such a wide variety of genes to play with (more so than any other reptile), and yes because they are a novice keeper's reptile.. so? If nobody liked them than they would be worth nothing. Yes, They have made their way into the general pet trade but that doesn't take anything away from them. A lot of people are on this site because it is specific to ball-pythons, and it's at that point that your opinion changes from simple self expression to a generalized attack on the members of this forum.

Most reptile keepers I know, private hobbyists, who just have a collection of reptiles- have a large variety of animals, not based on money, but the enjoyment of other species. Sorry, but anyone who thinks the reason BPs are so popular is for any other reason than $$$$ is lying to themselves.

I happen to be one of those people with a "wide variety," of reptiles. I have Boas, Ball Pythons, Blood Pythons, Carpet Pythons, Lizards of different species, and I am looking into getting kings, corns, and ETB's this year. The difference between me and you is that I don't stick my nose up in the air and look down at everyone else. That's called being self righteous.

How did you expect people to respond to your "opinion?"

And don't say you don't care, because if it didn't matter to you, you wouldn't have bothered posting in the first place.

[Mike41793]

MMReptiles- youre correct, your opinion is just as valid here; however, this is like going to Guns-Forums.net and attempting to make a case for stronger guns laws. Clearly we all love bps here dude.

Just bc someone only has bps theyre not equal to someone who collects a wide variety of species? Also who cares if theyre only popular bc of the money? I could hate bps with a passion and only be focused on making money with them. As long as i take care of my animals.... who gives a rat's ass? Well apparetly you do! I already made this point before but you refused to address it so thats why im bringing it up again.

Yup im taking that stance. I hate my bps and only keep them to make "a retarded amount of money really easily". But i take care of them just fine. Sooo please explain why this bothers you so much that i choose to make money off of something that i hate??? Since you seem to care SO much about my business and what im doing...

[gsarchie]

That's the thing, I don't care that I'm on a ball python site, I'll post here regardless, my opinion is just as valid as anyone else's. That being said- to the guy that asked me "if you keep fish, you're a fish keeper right?" - Nope not really. Having a goldfish doesn't make you a fish keeper, it makes you some guy who owns a goldfish, maybe a few.

That being said, if ball pythons were literally worth nothing- do you think think the vast majority of people would breed/keep them in such large number? Really, sure you'd maybe have a few as pets, but you sure wouldn't have racks and racks of them, and incubators lined up. Very few people have passion to set into something like that just because they like the animal. That's the vast majority of why ball pythons are popular- because of their price tags and the fact you can make a retarded amount of money very easily with them. How many people buy morphs based on what they like? Very few, most buy based on what will sell, to produce better combos to produce higher dollar snakes.

Most reptile keepers I know, private hobbyists, who just have a collection of reptiles- have a large variety of animals, not based on money, but the enjoyment of other species. Sorry, but anyone who thinks the reason BPs are so popular is for any other reason than $$$$ is lying to themselves.

^^^^^^ -- Is this guy serious? Hey (submit word for not nice people that rub you the wrong way here), how about not telling me how much I'm lying to myself about why I THINK BPs are popular. The vast majority of people with balls have normals that they got from pet stores, and have likely no idea about all the various morphs out there, although I won't accuse you of lying to yourself if you don't agree with me.

Also, if you would not make such broad generalizations about why people buy the morphs that they do buy, that would be great. I've never bought a snake because of how much money it can sell for (though I've used that trick on my ex-wife to let me buy one! LOL). I bought my pastel because I wanted to produce a super pastel (for MYSELF as a holdback). I then bought my cinny because I wanted to produce a pewter and a super sinny (for MYSELF as holdbacks). I then bought a spider because I wanted to make some bumble/killer bees (for MYSELF as holdbacks). I then bought a VPI axanthic because I want to have MY OWN axanthic bee project (so that I can produce some for MYSELF as holdbacks). I then bought a female het VPI because I just love love axanthics and want to produce some (because I FREAKIN' LOVE them ). I then bought a hypo because I think they are a beautiful morph and can do amazing things with many other genes. Finally, I am going to be buying a lemonback this year because Black Eyed Lucies are freakin' HOT and I want to make one for MYSELF! Now, will I sell most of what I produce? Yes, because it will help cover costs and I would never be able to house every snake that I produce. If they were cost free, however, I would have no problem giving them away. What you are failing to grasp is that people here have their snakes because they enjoy them, not to get rich quick, which isn't possible in this hobby anyway. People that are only in it for the money wouldn't bother being on a forum like this, sharing experience with others, in the first place. That said, please leave, and don't come back, unless you can do just that - share experiences and not judge others.

Alright, I think I'm done.

[ChrisS]

That's the thing, I don't care that I'm on a ball python site, I'll post here regardless, my opinion is just as valid as anyone else's. That being said- to the guy that asked me "if you keep fish, you're a fish keeper right?" - Nope not really. Having a goldfish doesn't make you a fish keeper, it makes you some guy who owns a goldfish, maybe a few.

That being said, if ball pythons were literally worth nothing- do you think think the vast majority of people would breed/keep them in such large number? Really, sure you'd maybe have a few as pets, but you sure wouldn't have racks and racks of them, and incubators lined up. Very few people have passion to set into something like that just because they like the animal. That's the vast majority of why ball pythons are popular- because of their price tags and the fact you can make a retarded amount of money very easily with them. How many people buy morphs based on what they like? Very few, most buy based on what will sell, to produce better combos to produce higher dollar snakes.

Most reptile keepers I know, private hobbyists, who just have a collection of reptiles- have a large variety of animals, not based on money, but the enjoyment of other species. Sorry, but anyone who thinks the reason BPs are so popular is for any other reason than $$$$ is lying to themselves.

Ok, I think you are right and wrong about the whole bp value. Remember it's supply and demand. But, if they weren't worth anything then keeping hundreds wouldn't be feasible. And people would still keep them for the joy of keeping them. Also comparing fish keepers to herp keepers is irrelevant. Now I don't understand why you must continue to argue and make a scene on a thread that was never a debate about why people keep bps or why they are just dollar signs to you or anyone else. Please if you want to debate make your OWN thread, and quit being the attention deprived menace you are being. And to the other posters quit fueling the fire. Now lets either get back on topic or don't reply at all I'd rather have nothing to read than this bs of back and forth off topic crap.

[Simplex]

I was really hoping for a response from this poster.

Ur initial reply didnt warrant a response. I was in the same boat. You may have been shocked by his comment, and not saying I neglected my animals, just had a time where they werent my main focus and they didnt get perfect care, they still ate, and lived in clean conditions, but i didnt give them the attention and care i had been before. I offered my entire collection, and clutches for sale. I then had a break through one day and woke up amd enjoyed them again.

U may be shocked but trust me, it happens to more ppl then you think. Its dishearting the day you wake up and realize that a low time commitment hobby you loved has turned into a near full time second job.

[decensored]

Ur initial reply didnt warrant a response. I was in the same boat. You may have been shocked by his comment, and not saying I neglected my animals, just had a time where they werent my main focus and they didnt get perfect care, they still ate, and lived in clean conditions, but i didnt give them the attention and care i had been before. I offered my entire collection, and clutches for sale. I then had a break through one day and woke up amd enjoyed them again.

U may be shocked but trust me, it happens to more ppl then you think. Its dishearting the day you wake up and realize that a low time commitment hobby you loved has turned into a near full time second job.

I wasn't shocked by the fact that he didn't take care of his animals properly. I was bothered that he encouraged it in others.

[gsarchie]

To get back on topic, Chris -

I have had many animals before, to include corns and leopard geckos, but I've also had a blood python, a BCC, a rosy boa, green anoles, a rat snake and a gopher snake. I've enjoyed them all but only plan on getting a BCC and a blood python again. Right now I've only got balls because I had to get rid of my BCC before coming over here as the ex wouldn't keep it (she was afraid of it and it was 7' long). When I get home and get settled I plan to get an olive python, a blood and another BCC. I guess my only other problem will be figuring out what to do with them next time I deploy!

[Virus]

We should probably try to calm down. I personally disagree with some of the things that MMReptiles posted, but I don't believe it warrants a potential forum witchhunt. If we want to be respected, we should try to be respectful of others.