Honest Opinion:No bashing please

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Im buying a number of snakes in the next few weeks. Most are ball pythons but ive had my eye on a couple others as well. I fear if i dont leave my money at home come Oct, i'll be bringing even more snakes home too!

Here is where i want honest opinions. Especially from the breeders & veterans. I know there is very mixed opinions on the hybrid thing. One of the snakes ive always wanted & am currently looking at is a striped borneo short tailed python. If i got this snake i know id be so tempted to breed it to a ball and make "superballs". If i did this, yes they would be documented as such & microchipped. But im still half&half on that idea myself.

The other snake im looking at is a sexed pair of true super dwarf reticulated pythons. Retics have been my favorite snake most of my life but the size prevented me from buying. Well now that they come in a much more convenient size i really want a pair..

Cant get both tho. Its either one striped borneo. Or 2 super dwarf retic's.

If i got the retics, id probably eventually breed them.

What is your opinion on breeding for "superballs" and what is your opinion on the dwarf retics? As it stands, superballs are going for much more money but the stipulations on paperwork, microchip, and the fact that half the people are against it anyway is what makes me think twice.

I know that so far the true dwarves of the retic world dont come in morphs and when crossed with another morph or regular retic you get a snake that maxes out in size somewhere between the super dwarf and a normal retic, still making it a very large snake. So i would keep their blood lines pure even tho they are not as colorful.

Thanks for any input and opinions

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Originally Posted by Draigess

What is your opinion on breeding for "superballs" and what is your opinion on the dwarf retics? As it stands, superballs are going for much more money but the stipulations on paperwork, microchip, and the fact that half the people are against it anyway is what makes me think twice.

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Sure, the price may be higher for a superball, but how many people are actually willing to pay that much for one? How many people have you come across that have actually bought one? You have to factor in how hard it would be to sell them also.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

You have to factor in how hard it would be to sell them also.

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You also have to factor in the risks and effects it could possibly have on your reputation. The hybrid topic is a pretty hot issue, I wouldn't be surprised if there were people that did not do business with breeders who conduct hybrid projects.

The other side of that is just because you have the Borneo and the bp it doesn't mean they will breed. From what I've read at least it's not anywhere close to easy. That might have something to do with the high prices, but I don't know anyone who would pay those prices for one.
On a side note I'm thinking about a super dwarf at some point myself.

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Originally Posted by m00kfu

Sure, the price may be higher for a superball, but how many people are actually willing to pay that much for one? How many people have you come across that have actually bought one? You have to factor in how hard it would be to sell them also.

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Ive thought about that. Also the fact that if a super ball is then crossed to a ball, the resulting "superball" is only 1/4 borneo & 3/4 ball. You can eventually breed out the morph all together. Which makes it seem silly to do anything other than keep breeding hybrid to hybrid... Another reason im leaning toward the retics.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

You also have to factor in the risks and effects it could possibly have on your reputation. The hybrid topic is a pretty hot issue, I wouldn't be surprised if there were people that did not do business with breeders who conduct hybrid projects.

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Another good point. I definately would not want to ruin my rep by breeding something that the majority of people are against.

I say go for the retics! & if you do, when you breed them, i get one right? ;)

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Originally Posted by DBD

I say go for the retics! & if you do, when you breed them, i get one right? ;)

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LOL! Oh id definately breed the little retic's :) There just arent enough people out there breeding the super dwarf. How can you resist that head & those eyes?? I guess it comes down to 2 things. Whats my favorite choice, & whats the best long term investment.. Bloods & Retic's were always my favorites.

Here is my thoughts.. Just my two cents.
1: I have no problem with Hybrid's I think they are very interesting and offer allot of understanding in to the taxonomy of both species.

2: Retics are currently under fire buy the government. While all exotics are being aimed at Retics and other giants are being named right now.. If that house bill passes your ability to breed, sale, ect.ect.ect will be shot. Are you willing to spend the money on the pair of tics and rick not being able to do anything (including take them with you if you move) if that bill goes through.

I don't think either are bad ideas but it's you that is going to have to deal with them for the next 20+ years

If it were me I'd definitely go for the Retics. I really believe if people breed them specifically for their size and more are readily available, they will be super popular in the herp community.

Hybrids... Not so much.

EDIT: Freakie Frog made a very valid point. There's a lot of thinking to do.