Reptile Expos

[svtvenom]

I've been to a few reptile expos over the past few years and I was just wondering, why are there usually more ball pythons than boas? Is it because ball pythons are seen as an easier beginner snake? Size? I was just curious.

[MD_Pythons]

Probably because far more people keep and breed bps over Boas.

[dakski]

Many more BP breeders, many more BP owners, more morphs/patterns/coloration available.

Also, remember, a BCI gets much larger and stronger than a BP. They need much larger enclosures, bigger food items, etc.

Don't get me wrong, I love BCI's (I adore my Ivory Ghost, Behira). However, I wouldn't have a stack of 6X2' enclosures if I only had my BP and corn snake, LOL. I would have smaller tanks for sure (although Frank my BTS loves having the space).

BP's are very popular now, and have been for a while. More and more morphs available, and for less money, every year. They are awesome snakes.

I admit, I am surprised more people do not keep BCI's and other Boa's, except that they are large and need bigger tanks and food, etc. I love BCI's personality and ease of feeding compared to a BP.

However, because of everything listed here, I understand why more people keep BP's.

I love all my reptile family and understand all sides here.

I think it's good that BP's don't get too large and are as popular as they are though. If you could only buy a boid that gets 5-8FT, as opposed to 3-5FT (give or take) for a very manageable BP, we would have fewer people in the hobby. I started at age 10 with a BP and still have a BP today. I like any species that helps people get into the hobby and helps remove stigmas and ignorance.

Very happy I did not start with a BCI! Glad I waited until I was more experienced and settled, etc.

Because of the size and cage requirements, BCI's are considered intermediate to advanced snakes to keep.

BP's are beginner to intermediate. They have almost the same temp and humidity requirements of a BCI, but are noticeably smaller.

[Craiga 01453]

Simple supply and demand

[bcr229]

A stack of 3 T8's can house 3 boas. If you are a breeder that means 1 male and two females, with the females being paired in alternate years.

In that same physical space you could put a 41-qt rack that could house 8-9 ball pythons, figure 3 males and 6 females depending on the project, with all six females being paired each year.

[Morgoth]

It really has to do with size. However there are island localities such as hog island, cat caulker ect... that max out around 5 - 6ft. Hogs also have very pretty colors and differ a lot as individuals. But all the morphs are for the bigger BCI and BCC boas. I think if more people bred the smaller localities then they could become more popular. Right now they average around 250 whereas you can get a normal ball python for 20 at an expo. So for a novice snake keeper its easier to get a normal python or for a little more money a cool morph.
Balls just happen to be in that sweet spot of being big but not too big and as such took off. In 20 years maybe boas will be up there but I don't think anytime soon.
What's even crazier to me is how the reticulated python has taken off in recent years. I think they are probably more popular and kept than boas nowadays. That also could be due to size since boas are medium size and too small if you truly wanted a big snake haha.


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[bcr229]

What's even crazier to me is how the reticulated python has taken off in recent years.

That was a direct result of the government attempting to prohibit interstate transfer/transport, followed by the FWS losing that battle in court shortly afterward.

[svtvenom]

I was thinking it was the size issue. I was just curious . I never see more than like 10-15 boas max, even at the bigger expos. But you see literally hundreds of BPs.

[SDA]

Purely because of popularity. Breeding BPs are in right now. Don't even get me started how many people breed and/or sell these snakes that have no clue what they are doing and even more people buy them having no clue what they are doing.

Sad story... went to an expo this past weekend and as I was walking in some young kid was walking out with two green iguanas in his hands and someone else was walking behind him with a bird cage that they had bought as an enclosure (hint that is a really horrible enclosure for them). I am so glad larger snakes are still not as common as ball pythons. The amount of adult large snakes abandoned is enough to make you depressed.

[dakski]

Rem

Purely because of popularity. Breeding BPs are in right now. Don't even get me started how many people breed and/or sell these snakes that have no clue what they are doing and even more people buy them having no clue what they are doing.

Sad story... went to an expo this past weekend and as I was walking in some young kid was walking out with two green iguanas in his hands and someone else was walking behind him with a bird cage that they had bought as an enclosure (hint that is a really horrible enclosure for them). I am so glad larger snakes are still not as common as ball pythons. The amount of adult large snakes abandoned is enough to make you depressed.

Agreed. So sad. Many animals that are not huge reptiles get abandoned because people don’t think about the commitment involved.

I wish some breeders would do more to inform people. However, to some, it is just business. Good thing many breeders do care and try to inform and be responsible.

A BP can easily live 20+ years.

Don’t get me started on parents that don’t say no or do their own research etc.

Or adults who want and can afford so therefore it is ok.

In addition to owning reptiles, and other hobbies, I race cars.

If I had a dollar for everytime someone got hurt because they can afford a race car, but are too egotistical or stupid to learn to drive it.

It is endemic in our society. We want but don’t often consider the consequences.

Sorry. I get up upset about this too. Didn’t mean to make a huge societal issue, but I think it is somewhat relevant.

To be clear, and I feel my posts speak for themselves, many people are not like this. Many want what’s best and do take owning reptiles seriously. Most people here seem that way and many people on this site do a lot to help these people.

I don’t want anyone to think I am targeting them or picking on people here. I have really good experiences on this site.

Just a general observation and agreeing with the previous post.