kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  mobile - desktop
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter follow us on YouTube link to us on LinkedIn
Southwestern Center for Herpetological Research  
click here for Rodent Pro
This Space Available
3 months for $50.00
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Herp Photo of the Day: False Coral Snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day: Bearded Dragon . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Apr 02, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Calusa Herp Society Meeting - Apr 04, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Southwestern Herp Society Meeting - Apr 06, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Hamburg Reptile Show - Apr. 13, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  St. Louis Herpetological Society - Apr 14, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  San Diego Herp Society Meeting - Apr 16, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Suncoast Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Apr 20, 2024 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Apr 21, 2024 . . . . . . . . . . 

The other side of the coin...LONG..


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Logic In Action on August 26, 2000 at 18:57:01:

In Reply to: What do you consider the other side of the coin? n/p posted by EJ on August 26, 2000 at 01:10:31:

The other side of the coin, EJ, is exactly as you previously stated. Market forces dictate the price as well as the supply and demand. At $ 1000 per animal, there is very little demand. At $ 1.00 per animal there is a great demand. As the animals are pumped into the US, the price has plummeted. Believe it or not, the winner in this situation is the end purchaser as the collector and the distributor are now receiving less and yet working just as much as before. Basically, this is cause and effect, or, as you said earlier, simply market forces.

Equalibrium is reached when the costs involved with capture, maintenance, shipping and distribution are equal to the end purchasers full price. At this point, no profit exists for anyone and so no animals will be sold unless at a higher price ( which is where the profit comes in ).

Artifical forces ( export quotas, cartels, etc.)force prices up and create artifical values. If a Tortoise that once cost $ 1000.00 and now sells for $ 250.00, we are led to believe that this is a tremendous bargain ( or that the animal is sick ). If you bought one at $1000.00, you probably thanked your lucky stars that you were even able to obtain one. As the price fell to $ 500.00, you were upset but no big deal right....since you still have your Tortoise. Now the price is down to $ 250 and falling.

Is every Spider Tort being scrounged throughout the entire island to fill the insatable demand in the US? Is there no bottom to the downward price spiral? Do you truly believe that the collectors are going to sell every Tortoise that they come across...and put themselves out of business? Did they already set up huge breeding colonies in Madagascar? These are the questions from the other side...

Hundreds will die so that thousands may live. It's a shame that any will die via any method but the exportation is the only SURE way to guarantee the existance of the animal. In 50 years, Madagascar will be an island wasteland. Population growth is out of control and the enviroment is being altered by numerous methods...all with good intents.

Where will the living populations of Spider Torts be in 50 years? In Madagascar?

In the whole chain of distribution, who do you think is most upset by the crash in prices?

Now, the collector/distributors are screaming mad as they are making little money on what used to be a huge cash cow. The most ironic part is that they know full well that the massive importations will inevitably lead to breeding successes which will further crimp the demand, and therefore the prices they are able to charge.

Enjoy the glut. It won't last long as no one will continue to shoot themselves in the foot for very long....

This isn't like a seal slaughter or the extinction of the passenger pigeon, which was done for food, pleasure or folly. This is a concerted effort to re-establish a troubled animal throughout the world. MANY breeding colonies are being set up...and yet the initial intent is profit. The accidental effect will be much more beneficial.

Should they stay there and die....or have a small chance elsewhere?

Our job is to insure that this endeavour is successful.

The other side of the coin is that; The distruction will ultimately bring about the survival of the species. It's a convoluted way of seeing the good from the bad. Unfortunately, it's also the truth.

Rick


Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Tortoise Forum ] [ FAQ ]