If I had known 3 years ago...

[Bogertophis]

...And in the midst of it all is a massive fallout of BPs unable to find homes. Normals are so common now that you can practically get them for free after a little digging. I've heard of some vendors selling them explicitly as feeders for snake-eating species there's that many.

I don't think it's any sort of "scheme" but it's a sad fact that established breeders with good reputations are going to have a big advantage when it comes to sales. Not only that but the first ones to produce unique morphs are the ones that are going to make the most money on them- & that does tend to be the experienced breeders that have been "in the game" for a while.

And the saturated market for BPs has been around for a while now- I've lost count of how many newbies come on forums like this, determined to breed their snakes no matter how much we try to caution them. It's just like all the back-yard breeders of dogs that keep right on filling up the humane shelters- it's beyond sad, as far as I'm concerned, but far too many just don't listen. In their minds, they stand to make money by breeding their snakes- they most likely overpaid for what they have, & assume that anything they produce will fetch similar ("retail") prices, but it doesn't work that way- & especially when they don't even know what they're doing. They also fail to factor in all the COSTS, & usually have no clue about a business plan. And yes, some BPs end up as "feeders"....that's reality. Breeding & selling snakes is a very hard way to make a living- mostly, it's a "don't quit your day job" kind of thing.

[Snagrio]

I don't think it's any sort of "scheme" but it's a sad fact that established breeders with good reputations are going to have a big advantage when it comes to sales. Not only that but the first ones to produce unique morphs are the ones that are going to make the most money on them- & that does tend to be the experienced breeders that have been "in the game" for a while.

And the saturated market for BPs has been around for a while now- I've lost count of how many newbies come on forums like this, determined to breed their snakes no matter how much we try to caution them. It's just like all the back-yard breeders of dogs that keep right on filling up the humane shelters- it's beyond sad, as far as I'm concerned, but far too many just don't listen. In their minds, they stand to make money by breeding their snakes- they most likely overpaid for what they have, & assume that anything they produce will fetch similar ("retail") prices, but it doesn't work that way- & especially when they don't even know what they're doing. They also fail to factor in all the COSTS, & usually have no clue about a business plan. And yes, some BPs end up as "feeders"....that's reality. Breeding & selling snakes is a very hard way to make a living- mostly, it's a "don't quit your day job" kind of thing.

I did say "pseudo" pyramid scheme.

And yes the BP scene has been huge for a while, but even just during the past 3 years that I've been aware of it you can't deny there's been a particular explosion. 2020 saw a lot more people entering the breeding circles and buyers as a whole (covid pets and all that). It really says something that despite everything else in life skyrocketing in price lately, including other aspects of the hobby (dear lord what happened with hognoses), BPs in general have only been continuously dropping in price.