Which snakes do you think should be bred in captivity more?

[red ink]

Originally Posted by Lychee

For the purpose of meeting the demand without harming the ecosystem, which snakes do you think need to be bred more often?

For example, I've heard that too many Ball Pythons are taken from the wild in Africa. At the same time, I see a lot of ball pythons for sale. So is it still necessary for more people to start breeding them (as in, more than the ones that already do)? If someone were to become a breeder purely for this purpose, which snakes would you recommend?

What purpose.. I'm a bit unclear on it?

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by red ink

What purpose.. I'm a bit unclear on it?

I think he's trying to say "What species should someone breed that no one else really does so I do something cutting edge and new and corner the market".

There's a reason all these species aren't bred commonly...it isn't because no one wants to it's because people suck at actual care and patience. For whatever reason, this hobby has a really high turnover rate.

[Dave Kelley]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I think he's trying to say "What species should someone breed that no one else really does so I do something cutting edge and new and corner the market".

Hehe, ya beat me.

[Starbuck]

some of these more threatened species, such as the hogg island boa, may be going the way of the axolotl. Axies are native to just a few lakes in mexico, both of which have been rendered pretty uninhabitable due to pollution etc. However, because of their usefulness in biomedical research/embryology, there is a booming captive population. The pet trade was secondary.

[bigsnakelove]

bare with me on this please.

i think puerto rican boas should be bred more in captivity for the main reason of prolonging the species as they are rare nowa days in the wild.

[StudentoReptile]

For terms of conservation, of course, any species that is threatened in its native ecosystem (either directly or indirectly) should have more effort put forth to captive propagation.

In terms of the "pet hobby," one should consider how 'easy" the animal is to keep, its rate of reproduction, and its demand. That said, there are a ton of species that fit the first two criteria well enough, but because there's not 100+ different morphs (i.e. $$$) in it, people aren't interested in working with those species. Its a shame really, because there is so much to choose from besides ball pythons, corn snakes, leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

[bigsnakelove]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

For terms of conservation, of course, any species that is threatened in its native ecosystem (either directly or indirectly) should have more effort put forth to captive propagation.

In terms of the "pet hobby," one should consider how 'easy" the animal is to keep, its rate of reproduction, and its demand. That said, there are a ton of species that fit the first two criteria well enough, but because there's not 100+ different morphs (i.e. $$$) in it, people aren't interested in working with those species. Its a shame really, because there is so much to choose from besides ball pythons, corn snakes, leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

agreed pal

[Amadeus]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

For terms of conservation, of course, any species that is threatened in its native ecosystem (either directly or indirectly) should have more effort put forth to captive propagation.

In terms of the "pet hobby," one should consider how 'easy" the animal is to keep, its rate of reproduction, and its demand. That said, there are a ton of species that fit the first two criteria well enough, but because there's not 100+ different morphs (i.e. $$$) in it, people aren't interested in working with those species. Its a shame really, because there is so much to choose from besides ball pythons, corn snakes, leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

I agree 100%

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

For terms of conservation, of course, any species that is threatened in its native ecosystem (either directly or indirectly) should have more effort put forth to captive propagation.

In terms of the "pet hobby," one should consider how 'easy" the animal is to keep, its rate of reproduction, and its demand. That said, there are a ton of species that fit the first two criteria well enough, but because there's not 100+ different morphs (i.e. $$$) in it, people aren't interested in working with those species. Its a shame really, because there is so much to choose from besides ball pythons, corn snakes, leopard geckos and bearded dragons.

I'd only argue that there may be a handful of other species that are solid choices but there usually is something, one or two things that keep the species from being loved by the masses.

Not all tend to be as hardy as the ones you mentioned. Some are a tad more delicate towards heat or humidity errors. Some are just nippy and usually in my opinion it's that and the size factor.

Carpets do make good captives but can be nippy and the size can easily be a turn off compared to the popular ones. There's a reason they were popular long before colours.

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

I'd only argue that there may be a handful of other species that are solid choices but there usually is something, one or two things that keep the species from being loved by the masses.

Not all tend to be as hardy as the ones you mentioned. Some are a tad more delicate towards heat or humidity errors. Some are just nippy and usually in my opinion it's that and the size factor.

Carpets do make good captives but can be nippy and the size can easily be a turn off compared to the popular ones. There's a reason they were popular long before colours.

Childrens/stimsons could be on the same level as BP's with regards to ease of care and hardiness. Never kept any so can't say how nippy they are, but they are def manageable sizes as well. If a few color morphs start showing up, I think the market for these will pick up a bit.

[Terranaut]

Snakes I would like to see more of just because I like them and they are hard to come by. Nothing to do with conservation just pure greed on my part.
Black head pyyhons
Boelens python
Eastern indigos

Those are my top 3.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Terranaut

Snakes I would like to see more of just because I like them and they are hard to come by. Nothing to do with conservation just pure greed on my part.
Black head pyyhons
Boelens python
Eastern indigos

Those are my top 3.

All of them are not as easy to breed as everyone thinks.

Boelens I believe actually have a difficult time just surviving in captivity. I haven't done much research in years but I have kept an eye on them for years.

Still nice to see them though. No complaints there.

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by smy_749

Childrens/stimsons could be on the same level as BP's with regards to ease of care and hardiness. Never kept any so can't say how nippy they are, but they are def manageable sizes as well. If a few color morphs start showing up, I think the market for these will pick up a bit.

Children's/spotted pythons do OKAY. Can be nippy as babies.

Stimson's seem easy but the problem is hatchlings. Really small so sometimes they have issues getting going.

It's not just the species care as an adult. It's the getting them to breed, hatching eggs, then rearing the young. It isn't as easy as everyone makes it out to be.

Oh and despite everyone always saying they want to see more of these species, my 10 baby spotted pythons sat for months upon months at "market value" and people just kept backing out or I never got interest.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but when you enter the business side of the hobby you'll see a completely different way everyone acts. Number one complaint about local shows it's that there's no variety yet the same people won't pony up the cash for the variety or do it themselves.

[leper65]

Russian Ratsnakes
Dominican Red Mountain Boas

Dwarf Boas/Pythons
Drymacharons
Japanese Ratsnakes

[smy_749]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Children's/spotted pythons do OKAY. Can be nippy as babies.

Stimson's seem easy but the problem is hatchlings. Really small so sometimes they have issues getting going.

It's not just the species care as an adult. It's the getting them to breed, hatching eggs, then rearing the young. It isn't as easy as everyone makes it out to be.

Oh and despite everyone always saying they want to see more of these species, my 10 baby spotted pythons sat for months upon months at "market value" and people just kept backing out or I never got interest.

This isn't directed at anyone in particular, but when you enter the business side of the hobby you'll see a completely different way everyone acts. Number one complaint about local shows it's that there's no variety yet the same people won't pony up the cash for the variety or do it themselves.

I pony up the cash! When I have it....

I agree though, the reason that theres no variety, is because we made it that way. The people at shows who do bring variety, don't sell much of it from what I've noticed/ people I've talked with. People don't like change/ delving into things they aren't familiar with, and thats a big reason IMO. I feel like with the interesting/high end species, a lot of the sales / trades occur between hobbyists working with other high end / not often seen species, as opposed to selling to the general public.