Given the current state of our economy, as well as the the Internets role in shopping for goods, it's no wonder that many first time, and even seasoned, reptile enthusiasts get caught up in worrying about getting "the best price" or "a good deal" on a new boa.

The problem with this approach to buying boas lies in genetic diversity as well as future marketability. Unlike many other markets where a certain commodity is identical from one store to the next yet a price disparity exists thus encouraging price comparisons, boas are increasingly seen as less homogeneous and differences in prices should be expected from one breeder to the next. In fact, buyers should expect price variation within the same litter of boas!

I believe that our lack of evolution from out humble beginnings are responsible for a large part of the current state of the boa market. The practice of indiscriminate breeding or, breeding boas simply to produce more animals has long been a standard for this market. Change is overdue!

Indiscriminate breeding has been widely practiced for some time and is likely to be able to trace its roots back to the first people trying to breed boas. I believe that at that time, no forethought was given to the quality of the possible offspring with regards to genetic diversity and/or looks/marketability. However, I give these pioneers a "bye". For one thing, boas were relatively rare and inaccessible at that time. Second, so little was known about the reproductive capabilities or environmental requirements to induce breeding that most people who actually had a sexual pair of boas, simply placed them together and crossed their fingers.

Years later genetic mutations such as Anerythristic, Amelanistic, and Hypomelanistic hit the boa scene and the color variety available to those who loved boas expanded exponentially, along with demand. Laws of economics tell us that when demand increases and supply stays the same (it takes time to produce boas), the market will generally bare a higher price. In an effort to make money (we all love money, don't we?), those in possession of these genetic mutations focused on reproductive capacity, rather than reproductive quality. At this time, a presumably "of age" male would be placed with as many females as possible to coax the maximum number of offspring out of that seasons production capacity. It didn't matter if the male or female was the FUGLIEST boa in existence, the opportunity to produce more boas with the same genetic mutation would not be passed up, especially at the introductory prices of these mutations (well above $10,000 10-20 years ago).

The results of these litters were often not very good, aesthetically speaking. However, in order to "get the genetics" of the litter, consumers would buy them anyway - often times, buying a pair of fugly siblings with the intention of breeding them together. This was common practice because the fugly offspring were slightly or even substantially cheaper (just like today) and provided a less expensive entry point into the market. This allowed someone who would have otherwise been excluded from that segment of the market at the current time to be included and get a head start on his competition. Because back then, the buzz phrase was "just get the genetics".

The practice of buying the cheapest boas you can find simply to breed them has become a plague on our hobby. Indiscriminate breeding results in hundreds and thousands of visually substandard boas each year. To compound this conundrum, buyers often buy siblings with the intention of breeding them to each other. This is understandable early on in a genetic mutations lifespan before varied genetics are available. When working with "normal" boas or established genetic mutations, there is simply no excuse for a lack of genetic diversification. The combination of indiscriminate breeding and unnecessary inbreeding has led to a dramatic decline in prices and slower than normal overall improvement in quality in the boa market. Certainly a case could be made that the overall economy in the US is responsible for the downturn in the boa market. However, I offer this opposing point of view: If the supply in the boa market was cut in half overnight (the fugly boas were removed), would it not make sense that demand would still be the same (those who buy based on price would drop out, but those who look for quality would likely replace them as they would see a more viable market)? Therefore, we go back to the basic laws of economics, when supply is low and demand is high, price stays (or goes) up.

Here are some closing thoughts on the issue. If you're planning to breed your boas, ask yourself "why?" If your pairing will not produce offspring that are in the top 75%, visually, of the market - please pass. If genetically diverse pairings are available, yet your animals are related (immediately or closely) - please pass. If you decide to post your pairing on a couple of forums that you visit and you don't get people sending you messages asking to be on the waiting list - please consider passing. All of these pleas point to a lack of demand for your future product. Producing boas just for the sake of doing it will help no one. It will not improve the market and in fact will work to its detriment. It will likely result in a greater expenditure for you, and you'll likely have to wholesale the litter to a broker for next to nothing - simply to move the animals out of your collection.

However, if you’ve taken the time to acquire the best quality available of a particular type of boa, your boas are relatively unrelated, and demand exists for the offspring – go for it! Additionally, if you have something new, rare, or unusual – go for it!

Best of luck to you all!

- jb