Wild vs. Captive: How will the numbers add up in the future?

[Ginevive]

The whole future of breeding/selling rides on the backs of newcomers to the hobby. We can only go so long by selling/trading amongst ourselves as experienced hobbyists. To inform and educate the one-snake owner who hopes to expand their collection, is not only a noble thing to do, it helps the hobby!

[SPJ]

I voted for this choice.

Captive breeding will increase ball python popularitiy; therefore increasing importation.

I think the puplarity and the decrease in morph prices will fuel increased importation. As people try to find the next new high priced morph, they will import by the tens of thousands in the hopes of finding it.

Also, lets face reality. A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.

I don't think we are anywhere near import levels coming down. I believe you will see them rise signifigantly over the next few years.

[tmlowe5704]

I voted for this choice.



I think the puplarity and the decrease in morph prices will fuel increased importation. As people try to find the next new high priced morph, they will import by the tens of thousands in the hopes of finding it.

Also, lets face reality. A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.

I don't think we are anywhere near import levels coming down. I believe you will see them rise signifigantly over the next few years.

never thought of it as finding the hot new morph. good way to put it!

[Mendel's Balls]

I wonder how many really new hot base morphs are yet to be found however?

There's only so much visual variability in a population. I wonder if we are at the stage were the amount of base morphs yet to be discovered is few and far between. Most of the new morphs are combo or designer morphs.

[wolfy-hound]

How many variables are in cornsnakes? They were once a wild species only. Ball pythons have the same potential.
And by continueing to say "non-feeding" and "not shed yet" you discount the many importers that DO take good care of their product. There are more and more that make sure they feed a couple times, and are healthy before they sell. Why? Because it's a selling point.
Wolfy

[tmlowe5704]

I wonder how many really new hot base morphs are yet to be found however?

There's only so much visual variability in a population. I wonder if we are at the stage were the amount of base morphs yet to be discovered is few and far between. Most of the new morphs are combo or designer morphs.

Look on the RDR site and he lists quite a few that are unique but has not yet had the chance to prove them out. You can bet some of the other big breeders such as NERD and PK are working with animals like this just to see.

[Snakeman]

A newbie will not know the difference between a well established CB pastel/spider/etc sibling for sale for $50 versus the CH animal that hasn't had it's first shed or meal yet for $10. They are only going to see the "same snake" for a lot less somewhere else.

yeah that was me when i first started snake keeping, i learned a lot since then. even my dad would've told me to do the same thing, "why dont you get this one? it's the the same snake but cheaper".