Ball Python Pricing for non breeders

[buck_50]

Hello to everyone that reads and responds to this.

I am new to the ball python world and I’ve been looking at different morphs and I see how expensive they can get. I want a few different morphs but they are priced way out of my range for just pet snakes. It seems like to me that breeders are pricing snakes out of the price range for just pet owners. I know that all the snakes I look at in their description it says would be great for future plans when it comes to breeding or something along those lines. Now I know that dog breeders have pricing for people who plan to start breeding and people that just want them as pets. I know some of these snakes should be looked at as investments but what about people that just want a nice visually looking snake? Can anyone explain to me how the pricing works for ball pythons I guess it’s my main question.

[Russtix]

I'm new to this is well so my input should be taken very lightly, but I would say that your price breaks are going to come with males more than females, and as people don't spay or neuter snakes they will probably always be priced to breed

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[tttaylorrr]

welcome to the forum!

a female Desert (not to be confused with Desert Ghost) ball python morph will (well, should) always be sold as "Pet Only" as they have life-threatening fertility issues and are not to be bred. there's a really pretty Desert Pinstripe up on Morph Market for $150 from a very reputable breeder.

[buck_50]

I’m starting to see that... also I’m starting to understand all the different 1-4 gene animals and it’s frustrating lol.. I look at all these animals think that they are beautiful and I would love to have one to look at while home but I can’t justify paying 1-4K for a snake just to sit in a tank lol. It’s utterly frustrating 😢😢

[buck_50]

That’s a very nice looking snake!

[Russtix]

I have 3 bp's
My normal (also my first) was purchased at local pet store for $100
Female Spider was purchased for $80
Male Banana Mojave purchased for $150
I dont have a good picture of my Spider yet but these are my other 2 and i think theyre gorgeous!!

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[buck_50]

Beautiful banana Mojave! I personally love the silvery look of the axanthic lines!

[Craiga 01453]

I don't breed or sell snakes, so consider that when reading my reply.

I've read a little, but not much, about breeding and selling snakes. The simple answer is that it comes down to basic supply and demand. There is a high demand for 3 and 4 gene animals, which drives the price up. Even some single gene animals that are in high demand are going to be more expensive.

With the thousands of possibilities out there, I'm sure you can find plenty of single and 2 gene animals in your price range that you like.

[buck_50]

I guess I just have that my eyes are to big for my stomach type of situation going on. I’ll just have to admire from afar .

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Dog or cat pricing pet vs breeders comes along with the fact the the animal will be spayed/neutered or not and with paperwork or not, not a practice that is done with or will be done with snakes.

The price is the price for breeder or pet owner the value is still the same and snakes are priced at fair market value based on supply and demand when it comes to snake no matter what your intentions are.