Keeping normals or morphs currently is a matter of economics for some and a grand genetics experiment for others. The one perspective no one has really touched: as more morphs are bred and the price diminishes so will the demand for wild caught/collected. Kingsnake is only a portion of the overall ball python world and yet it has generated huge interest in morphs. Why did this not happen ten years ago? The Internet is the reason since we can see pictures and share information faster on morphs usually only shared amongst friends and family.



One upside about the ball python market is the amount of money that is spent on it and the attention it gets. Breeders and hobbyists who normally stayed sequestered in their own homes content with their private collection of animals are more open about what they have and are more motivated to protect that interest. Think about the organizations who are attacking our hobby every day (PETA, HSUS, etc). They have been marginally successful in some areas because we were mostly hobbyists who were unorganized and lazy in getting involved and we did not have the resources or willing to put forth the resources to defend our rights.



Now take that same group and tell them that their $20,000 "investment" is at risk. You can expect what response you would get then. Whether you are willing to defend for your right to keep herps on the grounds of "freedom", protecting your financial interests or whatever at least more of us have reason to defend our ownership and are more motivated than ever before.



Either way you look at it, the ball python market has changed the way people look at herps. Good or bad, it helps insure they are hear to stay.
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