With this being my first year as a bona-fide breeder of ball python morphs, I have made a handful of observations that may serve some other newer folks to the ball game.

Breeding ball pythons can be super rewarding, but there are a few things you will need in my opinion to be successful.

Time/Patience: This really is near the top of the list. No matter how much you invest money wise, it is hard if not impossible to skirt time. Everything takes time. 2-3 years to raise that female (assuming she is a good eater), months of breeding before getting eggs, 55-60 days for those eggs to hatch, a week or so to first shed and more time till first meals and being well established enough to be sold (if that is your goal). Even bringing in new animals requires quarantine (generally 3-6 months), so more and more time. If you do not have patience, you will not be a happy camper.

Money: EVERYTHING related to keeping and breeding balls requires money. You have your initial investment in animals (need at least one male and one female). Now this can vary from a basic single gene, like Pastel or Spider, and a Normal female; up to big bucks for that GHI X Black Axanthic pairing. I will not digress here on the Pastel X Normal pairing, only to say we do not need a ton more low end morph breeders flooding an already saturated market. But anyways...

Now, factor in proper housing, feeding, electricity, bedding, water, disinfectant, mite prevention, possible vet bills and TIME. Yes, your time is valuable and should not be forgotten. I added in possible vet bills for a reason. These are live animals, that can develop problems beyond your scope of practice. If so, you need to be ready to get them properly taken care of, and this may be $100 or more in vet bills. As a responsible breeder, you need to be able to sort this out.

Ethics: If you are going to be selling animals, you need to have some modicum of business ethics. Now, the customer is NOT always right, and you should not be a sucker, but you need to be able and ready to take up your responsibility in any deal and keep to your word. You need to be up front when representing your animals as well.

Common Sense: I should not have to mention this, but I do. A little goes a LONG way.

Passion: Finally, let's discuss a passion for the animals. There are breeders/flippers out there that do not really have passion for the hobby aspect and are mired in the business end. Why do anything you do not love doing? Life is short; find another business/hobby if you do not love working with the animals. Pick projects that you love and believe in, and you will be happier on down the road.


Please feel free to share any thoughts you have on this. Agree/disagree?