Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey, I am new to Bull/Gopher snakes. With all the wonderful morphs of these snakes, how come they are not gaining popularity with milksnakes, corns, etc. in the pet trade? It seems like the market should be much bigger than it is? Does it have to do with care?

Thanks for the info.
Zach
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AIM sn: z10silver

Zach,
Its acually a pretty big market.I have a ton of customers and some morphs I can't produce enough of.
I think alot of people shy away from them because alot of them show some attitude?
The most calm pits I have ever seen are the hypo stillwater bulls.I don't know why but I hardly ever get struck at by the babies and the adults are just big lap pets,
shannon

I have to agree with Shannon. The Stillwaters seem to be the most laid back pits I ever had. However most pits settle down with age. Ron
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The Crawl Space

I have to agree with the other two guys, we can't produce enough of the more rare morphs and/or subspecie's to satisfy the demand. Now we are also beginning to see Europe get involved with them, so I don't see this changing any time soon. And yes sometimes they do have an attitude and a really bad rap from the pet shop trade. Who are mostly used to dealing with wild caught animals which can be more aggressive.

But I personally would rather have an animal that is aware of everything going on around it and active, instead of some of the dead heads you get in other animals such as some corns and kings.

Plus the pit group tends to be a little more of a fraternity where most of us know and like each other. Even though at times we disagree pretty harshly.

One word of caution, do not get your first pit, unless you can deal with a severe addiction. One is never enough if you know what I mean LOL.

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms

Cherryville Farms - Reptiles

i've never produced any for the market, but have kept and occasionally (mostly luck) bred gophers and bulls since the mid 70s. always thought they were awesome snakes, but figured most people were more interested in tricolors, balls, and boas.

as others have mentioned, they are the most active and curious in my collection -- and feeding response! whoa.

i don't know what others think, but i get faster growth out of bulls than most other species of colubrid.

matt

I have to agree, Pits are the second best feeders, the second most active and second fastest growing genus within my collection, though I only keep one other genus.. ;0)

Jeff

Man John I cant believe you lumped my beloved Kings in with all those F126 Corns out there lol. Kings maybe more reserved overall but a "deadhead" they are not. Just throw one of those pits in with a big King and you will see them snap to life, literally.

Keith
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f126's huh keith? LOL!! that was a good one!....

Well Mr Keith no slight was intended when it comes to the king group at all, but unless it is a big eastern, a nice blotched or a slick Mexican black I lose interest pretty fast when it comes to a lot of the king bunch. But then again I do have a few corns that still turn me on and then there are the neat cal. kings and the brooksi that I like. You know come to think of it I have a real problem with this addiction, er I mean Hobby. Oh well too many snakes, not enough cages or time to care for all of them. All kidding aside you know I was only kidding. LOl. That F1 26 reference was way cool.

Take Care

John Cherry
Cherryville Farms

PS to make amends here is a pic. for you.

Cherryville Farms - Reptiles

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