I'd have to agree with Jason. You do make several good points but they are made from behind the annonymous "22 27" mask. I myself have 5 possible females going this year, two of which are '04's and I'm looking at one as maybe not, she just does not have the size. The other was an early '04 and is plenty big enough. Th longest I've had a boa in my collection is 17 years, she did pass away this year. By no means a record but she did live a long life and all my kids school friends knew her well from the yearly educational shows we put on at the schools. I also have BRB's several of which are from 1993/1994 still breeding and producing babies. Do I like the money they bring in...DUH! Do I do it just for the money, no. I do enjoy taking care of my snakes as I believe most of us keepers do.

It is a huge rush to find babies, an even huger rush to see them being born and knowing you had a hand in this. I am VERY proud of the fact I have not lost a baby yet. Yes I've had still borns and slugs and that blows. I do expect to have unviable preemies, knock on wood - none so far. I've had a few with various genetic defects (post vent tail kink, odd shaped jaw and a one eyed BRB) that have grown and I've found homes for. I myself have been expecting prices to drop. Simple laws of supply and demand, as more people breed them, there are more available and of course the prices will drop. Not surprised at all that they are and I'll still keep on breeding. They still can bring in some serious coin even at $1000 each for a litter of 20 - 40 babies. I've been breeding BRB's for years and they don't exactly pay my mortgage nor do I expect them to.

Guess it's my turn to step down off of my soapbox

sorry for the rant, I too have seen the ugly greedy side and it's not pretty.
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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
13.26 BRB
11.16 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

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