Thinking of stepping away from balls.

[therunaway]

I can't lie, I lost my interest in Balls after I bought my first, and no that doesn't mean I don't have him anymore, and it doesn't mean I don't take perfect care of him, it's just a much more different experience seeing pictures of these crazy morphs and then once you've seen nearly all of them, it loses its oomph honestly. I honestly find my BP to be my only friend most of the time, and that'll never change!

[Homegrownscales]

You have to Do what you have to do. It's commendable you are seeing this situation honestly instead of trying to fool yourself. I've questioned myself multiple times as well but I can't honestly see myself ever leaving balls as my number 1. I have other interests so I keep a variety of different Herps and that keeps me well diversified. It is hard though. When I started in 07 I really had no clue what I was getting Into. My world has changed entirely from what it was then till now. But I still enjoy it. I still get pleasure from it and that's to me what counts.
We are always soul searching. Follow you heart.


Check out what's new on my website... www.Homegrownscales.com

[Vasiliki]

I've had numerous local herpers ask me why I only have one of each animal at the moment. Why don't I have a couple of balls? Why don't I have more cresties? Etc etc.

Truth is, I like having the variety. Each of my animals and their care is uniquely different. So depending on where my mood is depends on what part of the hobby I enjoy more at any given time. Sometimes I'm absolutely smitten over watching my snake. Sometimes I can't help but take out my little Leopard gecko for some climbing time on the couch. And sometimes I love just watching my hermit crabs fight over a piece of coconut.

Does it mean I care for any of them less at any given time? Nope. But it does give me variety each and every day. And that helps with the interest.

If balls aren't giving you the same joy they used to, that's okay. Ask anyone and at one point or another, something they love will temporarily (or forever) lose interest in something. Sometimes it comes back, and sometimes you just need a break.

If you still enjoy reptiles, but want to try something different, then go and see what it is you like. See if you want to get out of herps forever, or if you just need a break. Maybe you just need something unlike what you have now.

I'm fortunate to have a local reptile society. When I was considering a snake, dozens of people let me come and interact with their animals to see how I liked it. Got myself a corn snake, and I'm getting a Ball in a few days now. But I went back to just loving my geckos. Would I get more cresties? Probably not. But I would get a Leachie. Or a Cave Gecko. Something unique.

Stay honest with yourself and do what you gotta do.

I've almost given up my hermit crabs a few times now (more than my other animals). But, then I sit down and watch them and realize they are still pretty cool. As long as the animals aren't suffering, then you can do whatever you want to do. If you start dropping the ball, cut back a bit and see how you feel. You'll figure it out. We all change over time. Our interests too.

[MasonC2K]

I'd just trim back some. I know people who have "quit cold turkey" and regretted it. Best of luck whatever you pursue.

[Michelle1221]

I wish you good luck finding your passion. No one knows what it's like unless they have been there and I have. We ran a ferret shelter about 10 years ago. It was so draining after a few years. We kept caring for them and doing everything we could until the last one passed but when your heart is no longer in it, it makes a huge difference.

[heathers*bps]

I, too, have been up in the air of selling my collection of leos. As much as I love them, and working with them, it just doesn't make me as happy as it use to. I just feel like I don't have the time for them, as they are a more daily type care of animal. But I finally have a decent collection of morphs, though I don't want that to be the sole reason I hang onto them.

Anyway, I understand where you are coming from and only you can make that final decision. Good luck with whichever option you decide to go with

[chet1028]

Hi Chris,
I wish you luck and happiness which ever way you decide to go. I'm not a psychologist, but I had a few thoughts when reading your post:
1. It seems to me that I'd you care enough to post about it, that you still do have passion for your BPs.
2. It sounds like you just might still have unresolved feelings of grief for your lost BP and you might be pushing away the rest of them before allowing them to cause you more pain.

I hope you can find a way to deal with the loss of your BP and find peace and happiness in your heart to allow you to love and enjoy the rest of your collection.

Good luck

[akjadlnfkjfdkladf]

Time for Morelia. Good luck.

[MMReptiles]

You know, Balls were the snakes I "ended" on last year. I spent several hundred on a nice pair of them, kept them, bred them, but in the end- they killed all my interest in snakes. I sold them at a huge loss, and stepped away from snakes for almost a year, because frankly- they were boring. I found zero enjoyment out of keeping something that didn't move much, was a picky feeder, etc etc. I don't blame you for stepping away, and I wish more ball breeders and keepers would take a step back and look at other species. Maybe we'd stop having shows with 9/10 tables having stupid amounts of ball pythons and actually see a bit of variety in the reptile community.

[Mike41793]

You know, Balls were the snakes I "ended" on last year. I spent several hundred on a nice pair of them, kept them, bred them, but in the end- they killed all my interest in snakes. I sold them at a huge loss, and stepped away from snakes for almost a year, because frankly- they were boring. I found zero enjoyment out of keeping something that didn't move much, was a picky feeder, etc etc. I don't blame you for stepping away, and I wish more ball breeders and keepers would take a step back and look at other species. Maybe we'd stop having shows with 9/10 tables having stupid amounts of ball pythons and actually see a bit of variety in the reptile community.

I dont want variety. Bp's are awesome. Theyre the only species i wanna keep, whats so wrong with that? At expos i see A TON of other species. Sometimes i dont see enough bps though. If you want variety, go to a fish expo or something lol.