The effects of ball pythons on the reptile community

[ryandlf]

Before I owned a snake, and was doing my research all I could read about was to start with either a corn snake or a ball python. So I go down to the pet store, and completely lost interest in corn snakes, however became captivated by the python. I purchased my first bp and since then have decided to really become part of this whole reptile thing. I'm looking for my second snake and planning for even more in the future.

If thats not a success story than I don't know what is. If it weren't for bp's alot of people would be to afraid to even get involved with snakes in the first place. I think they've done wonders for the community.

[andy6432668]

Our greedy politricians will require permits permits = money just another way to tax you.

[fishmommy]

my only worry with the morph craze is that many people are getting into breeding for the wrong reasons.

Luckily the internet allows anyone with a computer to distribute their unwanted snakes, so all the 'normals' that result from these basement/bedroom breeding projects will probably end up placed in a good home.
Also luckily the flood of domestic breeding projects will hopefully reduce the importation of wild pythons


so overall probably a good thing.
without the internet though we'd end up with a bunch of unwanted baby snakes without homes. thank god for the internet

[elevatethis]

Also luckily the flood of domestic breeding projects will hopefully reduce the importation of wild pythons

Actually, the exportation of wild ball pythons is a vital part of the conservation of wild populations...there was a really good thread on this a few months ago...I searched but no dice.

[Mendel's Balls]

Is this the thread you were talking about?

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...ad.php?t=33693

This doesnt mean importation is without some still controversial ecological risks......the subject is a complicated one, but importation of ball pythons may be more risky to species here than the species in Africa....

"Results of the risk-assessment models indicate that species including boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), ball pythons (Python regius), and reticulated pythons (P. reticulatus) may pose particularly high risks as potentially invasive species"

An ecological risk assessment of nonnative boas and pythons as potentially invasive species in the United States.
Risk Anal. 2005 Jun;25(3):753-66.

I have this paper.....but have yet to read it seriously.

[LadyOhh]

I responded to this on Fauna, and I think there you will get your less-"Ball Python Friendly" responses.


I love Ball Pythons, and agree with most here that I think it is a great thing, not a bad thing at all.

It is bringing more people into the hobby, which may expand into the other markets of the herp community.

I have to say that when I have more space, I fully intend on branching out.

[jhall1468]

"Results of the risk-assessment models indicate that species including boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), ball pythons (Python regius), and reticulated pythons (P. reticulatus) may pose particularly high risks as potentially invasive species"

I agree with it. Any preditory species thrown into an ecosystem where it isn't naturally found, presents a massive risk to an area's ecosystem. The Burmese is doing just that in Florida. The species itself isn't to blame, but the irresponsible owners who release them into the wild.

Can anyone seriously argue that an en masse release of ball pythons, in a non-native environment, doesn't bring a potential risk towards similar sized predators and certainly, small mammalian populations?

I don't think the Ball Python is a bad thing for the field of herpetology. Poor care, and more importantly, poor caretakers are the most dangerous aspects of any greatly popular animal. Balls tend to bring in more of the bad side, and we all know that is largely because of the economic reasons.

However, I agree with the sentiments that, as the market starts to become less economically appealing, most of the scabs will find there way into some new market to devour. At that point, we will probably see less threads like these and more threads about new owners that have no interest in breeding. And like Adam, I assume that time isn't far off.

In the interim... I don't really care what the consensus is on who or what is ruining the field of herpetology. Ball pythons are just cool herps, and I happen to really like owning them. And neither an overzealous government body, nor a flood, is going to prevent that .

[frankykeno]

Obviously since I love BP's I think they are a wonderful influence on the reptile community. I've had many friends that were initially afraid of snakes that after spending a bit of quality time with one of our BP's, completely changed their views not only on captive snakes but those lovely ones living in their own backyards.

Now as to the internet influence. This is something that I think about a lot. It's a great thing in that we can share as an online community, we can teach, learn, network, etc. That's the good side of it. The flip side is the scammers, the idiots, the "Jimmy" types. They click onto Ralph Davis' site or Adam Wysocki's or Kara and Kev's and they see those beautiful, very pricey morphs and see nothing but the dollar signs.

They don't see Ralph's years of work or the business he's built through a huge amount of sweat and committment. They don't see Adam's years in this business, building his collection and producing his top quality snakes. They want to be Adam today without bothering to put in the sheer time of all those yesterdays! I'm sure they don't even bother to realize the hours Kara and Kevin have likely put in at their kitchen table pouring over breeding plans, praying and hoping some particular mating actually works out. They don't face the knowledge that disappointment and loss will occur. They are quite simply short term thinkers with little care for the herp community as a whole.

They want to be superstars without first being just someone committed to a dream and the snakes that will maybe, if you are very lucky and very committed, actually help you realize it. They are the "shame" of the reptile community.

All I know is my own experience and it's been on the whole just wonderful. Mike and I have yet to produce one single BP egg but that hasn't stopped our dreams nor the hours we spend making the best decisions we know how for our collection, making business plans, discussing future breedings or purchases, planning current matings, and enjoying our friendships online and offline in this herp community. We'll never be Ralph or Adam or Kara and Kev and that's just fine with us. As long as we produce lovely snakes, are decent and honorable business people with a rock solid reputation and take good care of our collection....well that's all it needs to be.

I'd bet my last cent on the fact that none of the breeders I've just mentioned above got into this to be a superstar or make a million bucks. Their level of continuing committment not only to their own collections but to reaching out to help newcomers speaks of a love for the species and the keeping of Ball Pythons that far exceeds ups and down in a market or jumping on any stupid bandwagon.

There ends my rant LOL

[daniel1983]

I responded to this on Fauna, and I think there you will get your less-"Ball Python Friendly" responses.

That is what I am trying to get too.....Where is this 'ball python owner' sterotype coming from? Why are some people so set in their opinions that people that own ball pythons are 'no good' or 'trouble to the community'?

I really don't understand it.

[frankykeno]

Probably a bit of elitist behaviour there Daniel. Anything that becomes popular can be looked down on and yes there have been some abuses by the idiots out there. Just like after 101 Dalmations came out every doofus with an unfixed dalmation jumped on that and sold a whole bunch of inferior dogs that ended up euthanized or in shelters (same thing with pot belly pigs, etc.) Bet that went over well on some sites dedicated to those breeds.

Unfortunately the net gives a voice and a place to find victims for the scams and so forth of these fools. This of course gives the nay sayers something to post about. It's always easier, I think to complain and critisize rather than do anything to change a situation or help create a positive environment....that's human nature at one of it's less than spectacular moments.