So I have decieded not to breed. Food for thought.

So after doing much research and looking at numerous animals across several species a few things comes to mind.

1) All my animals are pets. This means that I take them out and spend time with them almost daily. If I start breeding then the time I have to care for each animal is shortened.

2) Housing quality and cost. The more animals I have, the less room and money I have to put towards making larger, quality enclosures for my animals. I have plans to build much larger more natural enclosures for Rainbow and Monty (housed separately). They need room to exercise and roam about to stay healthy and happy. I want to create more natural enclosures for my Ball pythons and RTB as well. I want to provide a quality of life for them.

3) Need for breeding? With all that is available and being breed, I can find almost anything that I desire morph wise. So many people are already doing it. I don't need to sell them to pay for the ones I already have. What if they don't sell (unintentional collection growth)?

4) Cost of feeding. Can I afford it? Yes but it does go up.

So Here is the question. For those who don't breed, why did you choose not to?

The future is not written and I might one day change my mind.

Short answer: I'm not ready.
I think to properly and responsibly breed you need years of experience. Granted I've got that, there are other factors.
-I'm not ready financially.
-My snakes are pets, bought to be pets.
-With BPs especially, the market is already over saturated

Most people wouldn't even have this thought process with dogs/cats. You never have to justify why you wouldn't breed an animal. I think more folks should have to justify why they're choosing to breed animals.

I didn't breed for the first 5-6 years of owning reptiles because I had other things going on in my life, and I wouldn't have been able to give them the time they deserve. Now that I'm more stationary (dad life) I am able to breed :) First clutch should be late in the year.

Interesting question, and I'm excited to see what others have to say.

The thought never crossed my mind that I should breed. All of my furry pets except for the hamster were spayed before I even adopted them so I guess I transferred that "no babies expecting" mentality to my herps as well. I have other people make such suggestions with breeding my Merauke BTS but nah. I prefer to leave these kinds of things to those who take breeding seriously.

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Originally Posted by craigafrechette

-With BPs especially, the market is already over saturated

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Amen brother.

I think it would be okay as long as you have the time, finances, and places you know you could find each baby a nice home.

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Originally Posted by Jaust

Most people wouldn't even have this thought process with dogs/cats. You never have to justify why you wouldn't breed an animal. I think more folks should have to justify why they're choosing to breed animals.

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I agree but I do think it should be said and others who might be considering breeding need to make sure that is a true path for them and have the dedication and resources to do it. Just because you can do something, doesn't mean you should.

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Originally Posted by Jaust

First clutch should be late in the year.

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Congratz. Looking forward to seeing them progress.

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Originally Posted by AnnieHeart

I think it would be okay as long as you have the time, finances, and places you know you could find each baby a nice home.

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Some are more prepared than others for rehousing them. I am focusing my efforts on the education aspect. I want to share my love of the animals without breeding at this point.

Thanks to everyone who gave information on breeding. If I ever change my mind, I am greatly more prepared to do it as a result. I know I ask a lot of questions. That is how I learn.

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Originally Posted by Skyrivers

Some are more prepared than others for rehousing them. I am focusing my efforts on the education aspect. I want to share my love of the animals without breeding at this point.

Thanks to everyone who gave information on breeding. If I ever change my mind, I am greatly more prepared to do it as a result. I know I ask a lot of questions. That is how I learn.

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Good for you! Wishing you success!!

I've bred crested geckos briefly in the past (on a small scale), and even that took time and money than I had at the time.

I may one day decide to breed but it won't be to make money. It will be solely small scale, with high end animals, and I will make darn sure I have the proper set up, time, money, food, and capability of keeping all the babies until/if they sell.

NOTE: I doubt I will breed BPs. I have mucho respect for the folks that do - and can actually make some cash on it - but I think I'd rather branch out into a market a little less saturated. I've always considered boas as something that would be interesting and fun, and I like their morphs. I've also considered geckos again, cresties or even leos. They're fun little critters. IDK, we'll see.