Question on Rosy boas (biz question)

[RioBravoReptiles]

.. I love Rosy boas, In the 80s I travelled west each year collecting and photographing rosy boas. (I still do the photographing!).
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And also, while not as easy as ratsnakes or (most) kingsnakes, the Rosy boas thrive under the right conditions and some TLC.. ergo... Gus was once into the Lichanura in a real big way (200 babies per year?). Now I have not one single rosy boa! The reason is they became a commodity about 6 years ago.. and little attention was paid to anything but PRICE, and that is not my kind of business. I sold, traded or gave away the whole enchilada.
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The question is (finally!).. what's the deal with Rosies? are they in demand? making a comeback? Other? None of the above?
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I need to know! I'd love an excuse to get some more Rosy boas.
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Thanks

[BoaCrazed]

I think they just make great pets. Everyone I talk to that wants to get into snake keeping, I tell them to start with rosies. They are forgiving with husbandry and always eat for FT right off the start, they tend to be very docile and have beautiful markings. They are just beautiful snakes. I don't know whether they are making a come back or not, but they should. My friend owns and operates a local pet store up here and he can't keep them in stock. They sell like crazy. I think they are in demand because not a lot of people are breeding them anymore. Randy Wright is the only guy I have heard of that even specializes in them anymore. They did make a disappearing act in the mid to late 90s but they are still loved.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

I have been looking at kingsnake.com lately and I have seen that over the last few years the prices have done anything but raise. I think that people are finding sand boa which are somewhat simiar, cheaper, and not as prone to RI's or bad sheds. Thats what I have seen an increase in. More and more kenyan sand boas being for sale at lower prices.

[VoodooChile]

From what I hear about Rosies, they are easier for most to keep than the Ball Python..Ive never had one myself..But if I had it to start over again, I would consider a Rosy for my first snake, instead of the Ball. I like their temperments, from what I have seen of them

[BoaCrazed]

One more thing I'd like to rant on is that the breed is getting mixed too much of late and could use someone like you to straighten it out. I breed two Mexicans a few years back and ended up with 6 mexicans and 2 coastals...go figure! I have heard that a lot of people are mutting them and it's difficult to get pure ones of late.

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Originally Posted by BoaCrazed

One more thing I'd like to rant on is that the breed is getting mixed too much of late and could use someone like you to straighten it out. I breed two Mexicans a few years back and ended up with 6 mexicans and 2 coastals...go figure! I have heard that a lot of people are mutting them and it's difficult to get pure ones of late.

This is true. Maybe a reason for decline also

[RioBravoReptiles]

Ok, so how much would you think a buyer would pay for a small healthy Rosy boa? A locality Rosy?
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Thanks for the input.
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Gus

[NicoleRussell]

Wish I could help but Rosy's are not my thing.
I do like sand boas though...and the arboreals are too hot (I mean that in a good way). I would love to own some tree boas in the future.

	Arboreal Arboreal is a word meaning "related to or resembling trees". Its meaning comes from the Latin arbor, meaning tree.<br> In biology, an arboreal animal is one which inhabits or spends large amounts of time in trees or bushes.

[VoodooChile]

Originally Posted by RioBravoReptiles

Ok, so how much would you think a buyer would pay for a small healthy Rosy boa? A locality Rosy?
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Thanks for the input.
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Gus

Hmm, well that depends..If I were buying from a quality breeder such as you, I would be willing to pay more for a good animal..
But I saw the going rate for the Rosy's just on a basic search are about $75.00. However, like I said, that is from a breeder that I dont know what their stock is like, or quality for that matter.
For a healthy snake, if I was serious and wanted one..I would be willing to pay extra (say, double the average market value) for a healthy quality animal from a reputable breeder..

I mean, you can go to PetCo and buy a $139.99 Red Tail Boa, take your chances with IBD, mites, and RIs as well as other disorders and problems...OR you can order one from a reputable breeder for a higher dollar amount, and get back your investment with a healthy, provable locale, and beautiful snake.