The effects of ball pythons on the reptile community

I believe that it has been positive and negative... I agree with the earlier responses about being good.
The negtive thing is that because there are so many people with ball pythons it has turned the people bad, like scammers...

I'm leaning more towards the positive. Although as much as I dislike seeing snakes being priced for $20,000 + I will also have to recognize this has enticed individuals to learn more about their biology and husbandry. Who would have dreamed a few years ago of using ultrasound to follow-up follicular development in snakes for example? The negatives, well IMHO what most people dislike is the unrealistic price tag on some of them. But it's human nature...

I am shocked that there are still WC ball pythons out there, personally.

I started with a ball python about a year ago and now I've got a pair of emerald tree boas, a 7.5' BCC, the ball, and a white lip.

Balls are nothing more than a gateway drug. Just do a little, it's cheap, you can afford it. Until the next jones comes in and you need more to get that fix.

I went with both positive and negative aspects. The snake itself has nothing to do with the issue. I agree with the people being the problem. When I worked at a pet store, ball pythons were always a quick mover and attracted all different kinds of people. They are an impulse buy, just like a puppy or kitten or a parakeet. If it's not the ball python then it's something else, so I don't see any reason to single out the ball python craize as being too significant in the grand scheme of things. More reptiles are bred in captivity than ever before now, which increases their numbers and availability to the general public.

The number of abandoned ball pythons I see in reptile rescues tells me something is wrong, but it's the public's fault, not the snake's. People and pet stores are breeding too many indiscriminantly without thought as to how many available homes there are. (I have to wonder how many ball python breeders care at all about the sort of home they sell their babies to?)

While I'm here, I want to point out an important distinction. Earlier in the thread, someone tried to compare those who mass breed ball pythons or any other herp for profit with show dog breeders.

This is not true. Reputable dog breeders, who show their dogs for comformation and other titles, do health tests and carefully screen the homes their puppies go to, do not breed for profit. Showing and health testing and properly caring for dogs is VERY expensive, so at most, these breeders will break even. (If they're lucky!)

If a good dog breeder is making a profit, they're doing something wrong. Either they're overcharging for their puppies, or they aren't spending money they need to be (like vet trips, vaccinations, travelling to shows, etc.) They do it for the love of the breed, as a hobby, not greed.

So please refrain from grouping good dog breeders together with those who treat animals like merchandise and breed just for profit.