The effects of ball pythons on the reptile community

[daniel1983]

I have heard alot of different opinions on what the high increase of interest in ball pythons has brought to the reptile community over the last 5 years. The fact that ball pythons have greatly effected the community is without doubt.....but the way in which it has changed the community is unclear at times.

Some opinions are positive....some are negative.

For example.....

The idea of 'investment' animals appauls some....but the opportunity to earn money with a hobby appeals to others.

More people owning reptiles means more support on legislative issues....but more people owning reptiles means more legislative issues will be brought fourth.

Increased interest in ball pythons has caused some to 'forget about' other interesting reptiles out there.....ball pythons have opened the world of reptiles to some and sparked interest in other species of herps.

Those are just some of the opinions that I have heard.....please share any others that you may have.

I thought it would be great to get everyones' opinion on the topic.

[Jafis]

Most people I know consider Ball Pythons boring. I don't know why they think that, probably because alot of people have one.

[Nate]

i had no idea people thought ball pythons were a negative thing lol

I love morphs because of the opportunities seem to be endless in what you can produce. If ppl don't like the way ball pythons are, please, by all means, don't deal with them

[daniel1983]

i had no idea people thought ball pythons were a negative thing lol

It is not the actual animal that some people consider negative.......it is the rest of the stuff that came along with ball pythons that some people dislike....just to name a few...

Large amounts of LAM (Labratory Animal Method) for housing reptiles (ie. rack systems) as opposed to people trying to go for a 'naturalistic' approach to keeping.

The influx of people that are viewing reptiles as a 'get rich quick source of money' in which the value of the snake is the only thing of concern.

People have traded their entire collections of reptiles to try to get involved with ball python morphs. Now, some once common species that were kept by hobbiest have become 'hard to find'.

[elevatethis]

For example.....

The idea of 'investment' animals appauls some....but the opportunity to earn money with a hobby appeals to others.

I don't think it's ball pythons per se that might have effected the community, but moreso the absolutely explosion in demand over the past decade or so. I've spoken to more than a few "old school" herpers that have been shocked by the increase in demand for what was, back in the day, considered a boring, B-list reptile to keep.

No doubt that the increase in variety of morphs and advances in the captive husbandry of ball pythons have helped fuel their demand.

So rewind 5-10 years and you have an animal with a high demand and low supply...whenever there is a market that acheives above average returns, you have lots of entry into that market.

So now you've got people getting into ball pythons for the purpose of making a return. IMO, thats a lame excuse to get into a hobby, but on the flip side, who would have thought that snake I got when I was 13 could turn into something that could pay for itself?

What it comes down to is that there are people who are passionate about ball pythons involved in the market, and you've got people who could give a rip about them and only care about their "investment." Unfortunately, the people who really love the animals don't get anywhere near as much press and exposure as the people who don't. This is where ball pythons, in the opinions of some, may have had a negative affect on the hobby.

More people owning reptiles means more support on legislative issues....but more people owning reptiles means more legislative issues will be brought fourth.

Any time something becomes more mainstream and widely accepted, legislation loses its blinders a little bit more. The public generally fears what they do not understand. The better they understand, the less they fear, and the law opens up.

Increased interest in ball pythons has caused some to 'forget about' other interesting reptiles out there....

Because balls rock! What other reptile has such a docile temperment, easy (once you get it right) care requirements, and come in such a variety of color morphs? For me its a no brainer.

Also...I'd like to hear the reasoning on the other side of the fence, from someone who think ball pythons have affected the herp community negatively.

I've heard/read things like ball pythons commercializing the reptile community, etc...those sorts of naysayers come out of the woodwork every time something underground goes somewhat mainstream and people who have been around longer are left in the dust...like someone who likes a band before they make it big...then whine about how they've "changed.."

Sorry for the long post...kinda slow at work today

[daniel1983]

The better they understand, the less they fear, and the law opens up.

That is not always the case. Sometimes the law closes down....after all, the government sometimes feels like it has to remain in control somehow. For example, they say that it is perfectly fine to own snakes....but you must have a permit.

Because balls rock! What other reptile has such a docile temperment, easy (once you get it right) care requirements, and come in such a variety of color morphs? For me its a no brainer.

Corn snakes.....docile temperment, easy care requirements, and variety of color morphs......they also carry a lower price tag. Brazilian rainbow boas are up and coming too

The thing is some people got rid of their 'other snake' collections in order to focus on ball pythons......has that hurt the community or benefited it?

[joyful girl]

this is a very interesting topic

I look forward to reading the different opinions

[Adam_Wysocki]

In my humble opinion, when the dust settles and the smoke clears this wild ride will end up being an extemely positive thing for the herp community as a whole ... until then, fasten your seatbelts and have your barf bag handy!

-adam

[Rapture]

I agree with Adam... while this thing gets up and going with more and more people getting involved, eventually the guys in it soley for the financial return will come and go, but the true enthusiasts will always be there with quality animals.

[daniel1983]

In my humble opinion, when the dust settles and the smoke clears this wild ride will end up being an extemely positive thing for the herp community as a whole ... until then, fasten your seatbelts and have your barf bag handy!

I agree with the final outcome. However, I find myself wondering how long the 'wild ride' will last and what is going to be dropped off before the ride is over.

This whole thread was brought about because someone said something along the lines of "The current ball python situation brings nothing but shame to the reptile community".....that got me thinking, thats all