Ball Python Community

[dakski]

I am torn on this.

I think anything that helps people get interested in reptiles is good, but to a point.

I have bought two animals, a corn snake and a blue tongue skink, from BHB and Brian, and both have done great. They were helpful in the process, and before I ever bought a snake from them, and Brian had youtube, he helped convince me to stay with the hobby despite being immune suppressed having had a kidney transplant (the doctors were freaking out). I think he's a good guy and did a lot for the hobby before youtube.

Having said that, I watch his vlog and was disappointed in the BP setup for $100 one. Didn't seem like an ideal setup to me.

I also agree, many people are in it for the wrong reasons, and do not have 30 years of experience and then start a vlog to share knowledge and interest. They just want the notoriety and money that goes with it.

I also bought my BCI, from a small breeder who has a clothing line as well (his wife does the clothes, he does the Boa's). Didn't bother me. Talked to several BCI breeders and he was the smallest local breeder (got to meet her before buying her), spent the most time with his snakes and knew there personality and feeding tendencies, and was and has been very responsive. I absolutely adore her (Behira) and was very happy I went with that breeder. I was having Jeff Ronne build my tanks at the time, and would have happily bought from him as well, but he had limited stock and being able to meet before I got her was a big deal for me, having never owned a BCI.

So, I wouldn't necessarily judge a book by its cover.

Shayna, my BP, I also got from a small breeder (no clothing line or vlog), who knew each snake individually and helped me by feeding her F/T several times before I got her and picking his tamest Albino.

One fear I have is that many people get excited about reptiles because of vlogs, youtube, crazy morphs, etc. but do not realize what goes into properly keeping reptiles. The costs, the responsibility, the length of the commitment, how big some get, what they eat, etc.

It has to be about balance. Not sure if we are there yet though.

I am very glad that we have this site and community though. Not so happy about a lot of the FB groups etc. out there. But this site has a lot of caring and knowledgeable people and we are a force of good. That helps me sleep at night.