Do you think BPs will be endangered in the wild in the near future from exporting?

[4theSNAKElady]

I was just curious what others thought. I mean, thousands of BPs are exported from Africa every year. I know it provides income for people, but what of wild stock? Isn't there a possibility of them becoming rare in the wild? Considering how many CBBs are produced each year, you would think that there would now be bans or strict limits on the #'s of animals being exported out of Africa. I guess it's hard to find a happy medium on both sides. If there were a ban put on all bps imported into USA, then that might help the breeder keep his prices from going low,and CBs more valuable..On the other hand, it would hurt the African guy trying to feed his family. Hmmm......

[elevatethis]

Not at all.

Ball pythons populations have adapted to and are thriving in areas that have been cleared for agriculture.

They are in no way a threatened species. In some areas, they are considered to be an invasive species.

[qiksilver]

I think i read somewhere, but honestly I have no idea where that bps are having kinda of a population explosion due to the fact that humans have driven away all their natural predators like leopards and such. now i don't know if this is just some sort of propaganda, but it is possible since now their only predator is humans, but with high levels of collection i'm sure their numbers will eventually dwindle.

ps. like brad said, I read they have become invasive

[Adam_Wysocki]

Brad nailed it.

Even with all of the captive breeding being done, we don't even come close to producing the numbers being imported into the US each year. It will be a long time before captive production can meet the demand for these animals.

On top of all that, the import and export of p. regius is regulated by an international body called the "Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora" or CITES ... they set the quota for the number of exports leaving each country in West Africa every year based on the numbers of ball pythons in the wild. It's there job to make sure ball pythons (and all animals under their umbrella) are farmed in a way that does not impact wild populations.

Wild ball pythons are well protected.

-adam

[JLC]

In much of the BP's natural range (which is vast, btw) most of their natural predators have been driven off either by over-hunting or by habitat destruction. Far fewer predators for BP's means even more BP's than there used to be. Plus, as Brad pointed out, they adapt extremely well to agricultural encroachment. And I'm pretty sure there are still huge areas of their range that aren't harvested at all.

EDIT: I typed too slow on that one.

[elevatethis]

This paper is probably dated, but still a good read if you are bored and interested in a survey done on ball pythons in the wild.

http://www.stevegorzulapresents.com/...thon_ghana.pdf

There's an interesting section that describes the rituals and folklore surrounding ball pythons in the local culture - they are sacred in many areas.

[muddoc]

Dang Brad, you beat me too it. I was just about to post that article when I see it in your last post. I read that about 4 years ago, and think it is very interesting, and a wealth of knowledge for any Ball Python keeper. A must read in my book.

[jglass38]

Brad nailed it.

That's a first...But I digress...

Good posts by Adam and Brad! You guys are wicked smaaht...

[Uncle Festae]

Brad nailed it.

That's a first...But I digress...

Now that's funny! LMAO Feeling better I assume?

[4theSNAKElady]

Damn Adam and Brad!!! LIke Jamie said......you guys ahh smaaaaaht. I guess I shoulda went websurfing before I made the post. I had no idea..... I just live in my small little sheltered world here. Glad to have friends like you guys who know so much.....cause I sure don't!