Personally, my goal is to get awareness out there.
Every one of my friends and even coworkers knows that I keep and will soon breed ball pythons. Most are curious and ask about the snakes. A few have even asked about getting one someday.
And these people aren't interested in getting a $300 animal...they just want something that they can enjoy.
If I can get awareness out that these are gentle creatures and that they make good pets---while also educating about how to keep them---then those normals that I produce will go to good homes, and I will also be helping spread the entire hobby.
I think most people here at the forum would like to see the knowledge spread, until, at some point, having a ball python is just as accepted as having a cat or dog.
Here's where I agree with you: once these animals start becoming more mainstream, you're going to see the same issues you already see with cats and dogs, i.e. too many animals that end up unwanted and left behind.
It's a fine line to tread. So far, the hobby seems to be growing slowly, so hopefully we can build a decent infrastructure of education before it gets out of hand.
These animals will never "become more mainstream" I'll bet the farm on it.
Originally Posted by ladywhipple02
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