Thinking of stepping away from balls.

[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.