After a few year break for me as well, I would echo the same thoughts. It's scary how much things have died down almost all across the board in the industry. I've seen lulls but NOT like this.

Since starting my planning to get back into the industry, I've got in touch with many of my old contacts including breeders, owners, suppliers overseas, and other hobbyists.

The owners have all told me the same thing when I ask how business has been overall since last we spoke. "Terrible. Just terrible." Most of them think it has something to do with kids these days. Back in my days, kids used to play outside a lot. Kids used to grow up developing interest in animals. Nowdays, most kids aren't outside playing - they're inside playing. There are less wildlife educational magazines in distribution and less wildlife education shows on the television.

Maybe the economy has hit the reptile community hard as well.

What else could it be?

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