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Is it just my imagination or is there WAY less baby balls this year than last?
Last year you could get lots of 100 at $6-7 each... this year $10
Are they comming later this year or is there just a shortage?
Any imput would be greatly appreciated. I wanted to buy several 100 this year and am well below the number that I wanted to buy. Should I wait or buy right now?
Craig
The quotas this year are a little lower than last year but still very substantial in numbers. Below are the Quotas for Python Regis( from C.I.T.E.S. [both live specimens and skins]) from the countries that have quotas for their export this year. The export quotas are for complete export and not just to one country. The one reason the price will be staying higher and the numbers lower in the US is there is a "war" so to speak with some of the larger quantity importers of Ball Pythons. The war is because some of the importers have been getting prices way lower than others even though they all import substantial numbers.
Python Regis Export Quotas for 2005. (both Live specimens and Skins)
Benin:
50.000 ranched
1,500 Wild Taken
Ghana:
40,000 Ranched
7,000 Wild Taken
Togo:
52.500 Ranched
1,500 Wild Taken
Cote D`Ivoire:
100 Live specimens or skins
Mali:
1500 Live Wild Taken
Sierra Leone:
250 Skins
Also the babies that usually come in later in the season are not in the best condition. It is best to get them earlier to avoid the health issues. The babies from later in the season sit in unclean environments in Africa, and usually go without water which can (and usually does) cause kidney failure.
-----
Rob Trenor
RK Reptiles
www.rkreptiles.com
www.rkreptiles.net
www.oldworldchameleons.com
www.ballpythonmorphs.net
www.beardedragons.com
_____
The balls that are $6-7 each are the last batch which will most likely all die.
Ar far as coming in later, yes a lot are being held up in Africa for a # of reasons.
And as far as price if you noticed two months ago all these guys had them up for 9.00 each, now they are 20 each overnight. It's because the price has gone up for the importer and each individual snake so it gets passed along to the consumer.
Shipping charges from Ghana tend to be a more expensive then the surrounding areas..This is a main staple of the west African economy so they try to milk it for whatever it's worth. Hope this helps a little with some of your questions.
Mike Brooks
TNS Reptiles
Long Island, NY
631-732-4233
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