As someone who is neither a breeder nor a collector, paperwork would mean very little to me, particularly with a ball python. On the other hand, if you're going to collect or breed, a paper trail might help you sell your animals. You may trust the source of your animal, but if you ever have to sell that animal, your customer might be willing to pay more for an animal that he or she can trace back to the original breeder. A paper trail might also help you sell the offspring if the grandparents were from a reputable breeder. I realize that all of these things can be faked, so papers have limited value. On the other hand, markets can be funny things, and paperwork impresses some people.



Maybe if I were going to get a mountain kingsnake or some other species that could be hard to distinguish from a hybrid, I would want something to prove that mine was really "pure" of whatever I think he/she is. I wouldn't care for my own purposes. All I ask is that he/she be healthy, attractive, good natured, and a good eater. However, if I ever had to sell him/her, I'd probably have more potential customers among breeders if I could show paperwork to establish that this animal was pure of whatever species I claim.





Bill
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It's not how many snakes you have. It's how happy and healthy you can keep them.

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