Where can I purchase my breeders from?

I am looking to start a rat colony and am located in California (if that matters). I am looking to purchase some breeders as some of my snakes only take live and the costs locally are too high. Any help is appreciated it.

Thank you

Go to a reptile show. Usually there will be someone there selling live feeders. Just buy a male and six females or so. You will soon have all the food you need depending on how many snakes you need to feed. Sometimes you can find live feeders for sale on Craig's list. Just do what I mentioned above, then you should be set. Just be sure to keep some of the babies back for future breeders.

Ideally from someone breeding their own and not a pet store (does not mean you can't build a colony buying from a pet store, I have done it but it just take longer to build a strong colony)

You want to buy young animals between 4 to 6 weeks (weaned to small rats) and raise them to optimal size of 250 grams, do not buy adult they are often at the end of their prime when it comes to breeding.

Check Craigslist.