If money is an issue.

I don't consider "Breeding" for a morph a viable option when you can't afford the base morphs. By the time you've gone through all of the effort to make a bumble bee (buying a Pastel or Spider Female, Growing them up, breeding them, etc) you could have purchased a bumblebee.

Simply save up money. If you have no issues caring for the animals then mow lawns, do some weekend jobs from Craigslist, save up birthday/X-mas money, sell some things you don't need anymore on ebay.

Like mainbutter said, breeding is not as inexpensive as some people may have you believe. It's only when you're looking to profit off of the animals (or at least break even on keeping them) that that should be considered.

I think people toss around the idea of breeding too lightly. If you can't afford purchasing the morph you want then you won't be able to afford to purchase two animals, grow them up, breed them, and take care of and house their offspring.

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Originally Posted by AaronP

I think people toss around the idea of breeding too lightly. If you can't afford purchasing the morph you want then you won't be able to afford to purchase two animals, grow them up, breed them, and take care of and house their offspring.

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I don't believe there is an absolute correlation between being able to afford a $1000 morph and being able to work toward acquiring, raising and breeding two $300 morphs. The individual morphs can be purchased separately (ie: buy the girl first and raise her for a year or two before buying the boy)...expensive bits of the equipment can also be planned for and bought over time. You don't have to shell out for an expensive incubator the same day you buy a baby female spider, for instance. The whole breeding process evolves over time (if done correctly and with foresight and planning) and does not necessarily require an immediate layout of hundreds and hundreds of dollars.

NOW....I do agree that we see WAY too many people get in way over their heads buying up all the snakes they can afford in an attempt to breed as much as they can as fast as they can without ever taking into consideration all the other overhead costs beyond what the snake itself was priced at.

But asking for advice on how best to plan for a way to afford those beautiful expensive morphs is not the same, I don't think...and does not imply an inability to care for the snakes in question.

A lot of breeders also are not going to do payment plans unless your snake is at least 1k. Another thing is this is not an investment that you are going to see quick returns, it is going to take multiple years and a lot more money. These are all just positive things, what if your big investment god forbid gets sick and dies then you bought something you couldn't afford and now you have nothing to show for it. If it were me I would just save up until you can buy whatever you want comfortably that way, who knows they might even come down in price by the time you get the money and you will have some left overs. I just see a lot of people "overspend" on stuff they cant afford "new cars" new houses, new snakes ext. and to me it seems like the "scenarios" they work out in there head about money and payments are always if everything goes perfectly. If you do decided to spend what you don't have just make sure you look at it in the "worst possible scenario" that could happen and if its still appealing go for it.

I would love to start breeding, and I plan on it eventually. My income is rather limited right now, but I think we'll be able to afford the bumblebee we want in a few months. After that, we will start saving and I will eventually buy a pastel pair, I'd like that to be my first breeding project. Since I'll buy them as hatchlings, I'll have a couple 2-3 years to save up the money and/or slowly buy what I need to start the breeding process. As much as I would love to buy adult breeders and everything required now, I know it isn't a feasible option. BP's live a long time, I'm still young, I have plenty of time if I can just get a handle on the patience aspect :).

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Originally Posted by Quacking-Terror

... BP's live a long time, I'm still young, I have plenty of time if I can just get a handle on the patience aspect :).

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Wise words!! I wish more people would think about it from that perspective rather than the "If I want it now then I should get it now!" point of view.

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Originally Posted by JLC

Wise words!! I wish more people would think about it from that perspective rather than the "If I want it now then I should get it now!" point of view.

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Thank you for the kind words :). Believe me, if money were not an issue, tomorrow you would see dozens of pictures pop up here on the forums because I'd get all the snakes I want. Pastels, Axanthics, Mojaves, all beautiful morphs, I think those are my top three.

Hey everybody, Thanks for all the great replies. I do currntly have four ball pythons plus other snakes. I already have an incubator and a full stock of sterilite tubs. I'm in the process of building a rack for these tubs. I asked the question because I would really like to get a morph to eventually put with my normals. I am thinking of something inexpensive like a pin or a spider. I just wanted to see what the general opinion out there was about this subject. No, I don't have a lrge surplus of cash. I volunteer at a local pet store on sundays(they're closed on sundays) my pay is feeders and other supplies that I need. Like, the replacement heat pad, when one dies. I am not looking for any free snakes, but would like to expand my collection, who here wouldn't. Three of the BPs, that I have now, I have had for 3.5 yrs. So, I guess, the ability of taking care of them is not an issue here. I agree with JLC completely, not being able to go right out and purchase a piebald does not mean that you are unable to take proper care of a Normal. Again, thanks you for all of the responses.

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Originally Posted by mainbutter

The fact is that breeding reptiles WILL cost hundreds of dollars.

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Thousands....:rolleyes:

How about a Yellowbelly male Reesy they make these:O

http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file...ideon_220g.jpg

Yellowbelly males are super inexpensive and amazing in their own right countless combo possibilities also.;)

I think I agree with everyone for the most part. Although I do like payment plans more for the fact that I usually HAVE the money for my purchase, but I like to give myself time to be absolutely sure I am stocked up on feeders and proper equipment for a snake. I'm not that impulsive of a buyer, but I DO try to be picky about who i get snakes from. If a good breeder has an animal I like that i can afford, I like to put a deposit as a hold. I do know that other animals will come along, but buying from someone good is important to me and I like to try and give good breeders repeat business when I can.
Though I do highly recommend research your favorite morphs and WAITING at least few months and save your money until you can afford what you want. Someday that perfect snake will come along and if you have been saving, you'll be ready for it! If you want a bumblebee, get a setup, hides, heat and all that, THEN think about putting the money down on the snake. I am able to ask my family for money instead of presents, but i know some people can't or do not have that option, but I usually set aside $20 per paycheck for projects, like new racks, thermostats, etc. Odd jobs can help me accumulate the funds I need. PLUS if you wait a little, you can see what morphs cost now and anticipate lesser costs next year. There are some morphs that most anyone with some spending money can afford if they funnel that extra money into a snake fund rather than a fancy dinner. I've bought bulk hamburger and rice so i could eat cheaply so i could buy TONS of feeders for my snakes. But I am also only supporting myself, so this won't work for everyone. Obviously don't starve yourself or your kids just for a morph! But don't settle for something JUST because it's a morph.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE ____ (pastels, pins, mojaves, spiders) DON'T GET ONE! XD This is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, not a race to see who can make the most spiders/mojaves/BEL, whatever. I waited many years to get a pastel because I couldn't afford them AND I wanted to buy the perfect snake. Sit tight, save up and don't bjuy it just because it's available- I've made impulse buys before and they almost never end well!
Or at least save it for non-living objects that are easy to return to the store!