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When all is said and done, conservation is my
primary goal.
How? By breeding pythons! I like to think that captive populations
could someday be used to replenish areas of extinction, or areas of endangerment.
There is also
a tremendous stress on wild populations of Pythons, and other animals to support the trade and exotic foods markets. Many
of these exotic animals are killed to produce boots and purses. By captive breeding these animals, this industry reduces the
stresses placed upon wild populations by reducing the demand for wild animals to be unlawfully killed or captured in countries
such as Tialand. If captive breeding were not so successful, these wild populations of animals would certainly face extinction
at an alarming rate.
Another way that I support conservation, is by educating! This is
an important ingredient to any of my Python Presentations, or Python Parties. It's all about spreading knowledge
and an understanding of these animals.
You can help by learning more about Pythons and Boas through
one of my presentations, or by owning one of these creatures to gain the most experience and understanding. Every time you
support Rob Clark, you support conservation.
Breeders can also do their part. All breeders have a
responsibility to educate and spread understanding. Breeders should also attempt to always produce normal offspring resembling
their wild ancestors. With all of the various morphs such as Albino's currently flooding the market and their respective
value, it is quite easy to get focused on the financial aspect of creating the next BIG thing.
We owe it to the species to continue to produce some of their original looking colors and patterns. As with most species,
the normals are often the most attractive and exotic of all.
I also ask that breeders limit the number
of hybrids that they produce. These should only be produced and bred by the most responsible breeders, ensuring that only
first generation hybrids such as BatEaters (Retic x Burm), or first generation Jungles such as (BatEater x Retic) or
(BatEater x Burm) are produced. This should be the extent of cross breeding these species. All 2nd and subsequent generations
of Hybrid Pythons should always be labeled as "Jungles" so that buyers are aware that the snakes that they
own or purchase aren't full blooded.
I plan to participate in the BatEater and "Jungles" projects,
but only in limited numbers, to be sold only to responsible keepers and breeders.
Please remember
conservation, and the impact that this has on our world's future.
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