Why aren't Rosy Boas more popular?

[Pareeeee]

It just seems that you hardly ever see them in reptile stores, and you don't run into as many people that own Rosys.

Also there are hardly any websites strictly devoted to rosys (I do know of one though) but there are tons devoted to other snake species.

Are they a generally new snake to be added to the hobby? Just curious...Boaz is such a gentle and friendly snake I can't imagine why there aren't more around. Maybe it's just here in Ontario, I dunno. I'd love to see them become more popular ;)

[reptile65]

They're actually fairly popular in my area. Of course, ball pythons, corn snakes, etc. are much more popular, but I usually see at least one or two at my local reptile shop. There's also generally a few vendors at the local reptile expos who have rosy boas.

[alessia55]

From what I've seen at expos, rosy boas are also more expensive than ball pythons or corns for beginners.

[StudentoReptile]

I'll admit I have a VERY limited understanding of the rosy boa market, but from what I gather, in some of their range, it is illegal to collect rosies from the wild. So wildcaught stock is somewhat scarce. From a conservation standpoint, this is great, but what it does (and did!) is put pressure on the captive-bred market for the species, which in turn, drives up prices.

Also, there are different localities of rosy boas; some are very distinctive from each other, and dedicated rosy enthusiasts take care to preserve these bloodlines. Likewise, the perceived value of any particular specimen goes up, depending on its locality or heritage.

In short, that is why a generally small, docile, relatively easy-to-breed snake is not as readily as available and inexpensive as other species, such as ball pythons or Kenyan sand boas.

[Pareeeee]

I think maybe that they are harder to come by in my area then. but still, I don't run across many people even on the internet that own rosys.

Boaz was $150 - is that a low or high price for a rosy?

[Fredricks]

I think maybe that they are harder to come by in my area then. but still, I don't run across many people even on the internet that own rosys.

Boaz was $150 - is that a low or high price for a rosy?

I agree that they are harder to come by. They also aren't as "flashy" as some other snakes, but they are great mellow snakes

[MrBD1980]

Can I ask for a picture so I can see one?

I don't know what they look like!

Thanks

Bri

[Pareeeee]

Can I ask for a picture so I can see one?

I don't know what they look like!

Thanks

Bri


Really!? I can't believe you haven't seen one. Well now I have an excuse to upload the new photos of Boaz...

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz6.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz5.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz4.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz3.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/Boaz1.jpg

And an old one of him on my hand
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a368/Pareeeee/IMG_6843Small.jpg

[MrBD1980]

Wow...absolutely gorgeous!!!

I'm gonna have a long wish list if I keep seeing beauties like that!

Thanks!!!

[alessia55]

I really like photos #1 and #3 :yes: Great pics Paree!

[marvelfreak]

Here's a of some morphs.
19064

Then one of my favorite kind of Rosie Boas.
Morongo Vally Rosie
19065

[Caylan]

In my experience... rosies care more about food then anything else... this means wrapping you up while you pick them up and then they look for something to bite on to... I think I had more rosy boa bites then carpet python bites :D That said, that was almost exclusively the proven females.... the males were all very sweet to handle, but still had a similar feeding response if they were feeling like they were hungry, which made them a little unpredictable. I agree they aren't as popular as they should be, we had a hard time selling babies for $50 at times, and just manage to whole sale all the adult breeders after a year of being for sale. Still, I like them, even though they are food hungry monsters ;)

[Shmoges]

I think maybe that they are harder to come by in my area then. but still, I don't run across many people even on the internet that own rosys.

Boaz was $150 - is that a low or high price for a rosy?

depends on the locality, captive bred or wild caught

[Shmoges]

In my experience... rosies care more about food then anything else... this means wrapping you up while you pick them up and then they look for something to bite on to... I think I had more rosy boa bites then carpet python bites :D That said, that was almost exclusively the proven females.... the males were all very sweet to handle, but still had a similar feeding response if they were feeling like they were hungry, which made them a little unpredictable. I agree they aren't as popular as they should be, we had a hard time selling babies for $50 at times, and just manage to whole sale all the adult breeders after a year of being for sale. Still, I like them, even though they are food hungry monsters ;)


LOL, sounds exactly like our females. Nom nom nom food food food. I like rosys so much more than balls. It is tough to sell them, I think its that nobody knows how easy they are to take care of.

[drewkore]

Pareeeee, those are great photos and a great looking rosy! What locale it that?

[StudentoReptile]

It is tough to sell them, I think its that nobody knows how easy they are to take care of.

I suppose it depends on the venue, but in my experience working at a LPS, it's simply what people are familiar with. Everyone has heard of ball pythons, kingsnakes and corn snakes, but no one has heard of rosy boas, sand boas, African house snakes, etc. It doesn't matter if the latter would be just as easy (if not arguably easier) to care for. The customer has never heard of it, so they would rather go with what they know.

Same with lizards. It was like pulling eye teeth to try to convince a newbie that it would be better to start out with a bearded dragon, a leopard gecko, a blue-tongued skink, Uromastyx, or whatever, instead of a green iguana. But they walked into the store knowing what a green iguana is. They have never heard of these other lizards. They see the iguanas on TV and on movies, so often the iguana wins out. Of course, it doesn't help that they're $15 each while everything else is at least twice that much.

[Caylan]

Well in my experience with the couple shows I've now vended, everyone knows what they are, think they are cool as they pass bye, and thats that it lol. We were always the only ones with Rosy boas so the interest was there, but never did any ever sell. WE sold almost all the babies locally for as little $40 each. We never sold a ball python or carpet python that cheap, not even the jag sibs. They just seem boring to most people I think, far too under rated. They're like half sized corn snakes, pretty awesome if you ask me. Still I would prefer an african house snake or something, but they aren't nearly as popular as they should be. If want to see something really cool though, look up a persian sand boa... its like a rosy and a sandboa put together, and they grow like 5 feet long sometimes!! Really cool snakes, and super docile great eaters. I'm surprised no one has any of these... Eryx Jhonni are better then all rosies or sand boas, period. :D

[StudentoReptile]

Caylan, I know exactly what you mean!

There is a whole plethora of obscure snake species out there just as easily available to the public as balls, corns, kings and red-tails. I always tell people there's more flavors of ice cream than just chocolate, strawberry and vanilla! All of those snakes you and I mentioned (and many more) are not difficult to keep and can be just as interesting and rewarding if people would just give them the chance. I guess there has to be a certain number of morphs within a certain species for it to hit a particular popularity bracket, I suppose.

[Caylan]

Eh, I just like what I like, but I'm weird :D

[BigTimer]

I am actually looking to get a Rosy Boa at the western Canadian reptile expo this Augest I can't wait!

[Desert]

far too under rated.



If want to see something really cool though, look up a persian sand boa... its like a rosy and a sandboa put together, and they grow like 5 feet long sometimes!! Really cool snakes, and super docile great eaters. I'm surprised no one has any of these... Eryx Jhonni are better then all rosies or sand boas, period. :D

Some snakes are just under rated through no fault of their own, and I agree rosy boas are definitely one of the under rated species, though I keep them. Womas are another under rated species. I also keep eryx johnii, I agree they are under rated as well.