cheap morphs worth breeding

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Originally Posted by chimp54321

Let's say I was to drop $500 on the snakes as babies would I be able to sell them easier?

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This should not be your first concern. If you wanna make money just get a job. It is honestly coming across like youre just trying to make a quick buck. If those are your intentions you wont last very long in this hobby. Im not trying to be rude, im being blunt because it really does sound like the money is all youre concerned about right now and im worried about what will happen when you get bored of the snakes after you get them.

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Originally Posted by chimp54321

Let's say I was to drop $500 on the snakes as babies would I be able to sell them easier?

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Depends. First off, if you really want to breed you should be prepared to keep any babies you produce. A morph might be hot one year, and then when the market is saturated the next year you can barely move them. Best choice is to choose a morph you like looking at, and then find the very best example you possibly can to breed. That is whats going to help you move your animals. A+ morphs of any price range sell. Better to buy a lower end morph thats the best youve seen than to get a slightly less common morph thats average quality.

I do not breed. However, if I did, I would approach the situation a little differently.

1. Look at Ball Pythons. I mean really look. Start hanging out here, so that you can visually find what appeals to you. Do NOT focus on the cost right now. Focus on what you LIKE.

2. Get familiar with genetics. I don't mean just kind of. I mean really research it, to the point that you can almost do them in your head. If you look at a snake that's a common morph, or a common double-combo, you should be able to identify it. I feel like this is important, because people will not take you seriously if you ask: "What's that?" and it's something basic. I don't want to buy from a breeder who doesn't know their stuff.

3. Identify what you WANT from ball python breeding. You say experience. What do you mean? You can have experience by just keeping ball pythons. Are you wanting to breed because you can? Do you want to develop a large collection for yourself later? Or are you just looking to breed and sell?

4. Find examples of the morphs you want that are the best you can afford. Do not be impatient. Search and be critical. Don't take the first animals you can find for a 'good deal'. I just got an amazing little Pied from a local breeder that could easily fetch a few hundred more than I paid. But, it wasn't about the money. I was willing to pay full price. Always be willing to pay full price, because that's when you know an animal is worth it.

5. Do it because you love it. If you ever find yoruself worrying about how much you'll make from a clutch of eggs... Time to re-evaluate.

Every morph is worth breeding if youre doing it for all the right reasons.... :)

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Originally Posted by Vasiliki

I do not breed. However, if I did, I would approach the situation a little differently.

1. Look at Ball Pythons. I mean really look. Start hanging out here, so that you can visually find what appeals to you. Do NOT focus on the cost right now. Focus on what you LIKE.

2. Get familiar with genetics. I don't mean just kind of. I mean really research it, to the point that you can almost do them in your head. If you look at a snake that's a common morph, or a common double-combo, you should be able to identify it. I feel like this is important, because people will not take you seriously if you ask: "What's that?" and it's something basic. I don't want to buy from a breeder who doesn't know their stuff.

3. Identify what you WANT from ball python breeding. You say experience. What do you mean? You can have experience by just keeping ball pythons. Are you wanting to breed because you can? Do you want to develop a large collection for yourself later? Or are you just looking to breed and sell?

4. Find examples of the morphs you want that are the best you can afford. Do not be impatient. Search and be critical. Don't take the first animals you can find for a 'good deal'. I just got an amazing little Pied from a local breeder that could easily fetch a few hundred more than I paid. But, it wasn't about the money. I was willing to pay full price. Always be willing to pay full price, because that's when you know an animal is worth it.

5. Do it because you love it. If you ever find yoruself worrying about how much you'll make from a clutch of eggs... Time to re-evaluate.

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Excellent! I couldnt have said it better myself!

Awesome guys, thank you for the words of wisdom. Believe it or not I'm actually just a responsible adult who has had a fascination with reptiles my whole life. Thanks for the advice on getting a job though I would recommend that to anyone who doesn't have one, but fortunately I run my own successful painting business. I expect the comments of your going to get bored though because most people do! That is why in the past I have adopted an iguana because some clown got bored and couldn't take care of their pet. I built him a 6 by 6 by 3 foot enclosure with a nice rainforest painted background, I take a lot of pride in what I keep. I have always had an interest in breeding ball pythons. I love checking out the new morphs and thinking about the capabilities of breeding different morphs. I will be able to house all the hatchling's no problem, I'm just trying to get a good grasp of where to start as far as the morphs go. I'm thinking of buying a 2012 female spider now and then possibly breeding her with a nice pastel down the road, what do you guys think? I was also thinking about a lesser platinum too what would be really good to breed that with?

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Originally Posted by chimp54321

Awesome guys, thank you for the words of wisdom. Believe it or not I'm actually just a responsible adult who has had a fascination with reptiles my whole life. Thanks for the advice on getting a job though I would recommend that to anyone who doesn't have one, but fortunately I run my own successful painting business. I expect the comments of your going to get bored though because most people do! That is why in the past I have adopted an iguana because some clown got bored and couldn't take care of their pet. I built him a 6 by 6 by 3 foot enclosure with a nice rainforest painted background, I take a lot of pride in what I keep. I have always had an interest in breeding ball pythons. I love checking out the new morphs and thinking about the capabilities of breeding different morphs. I will be able to house all the hatchling's no problem, I'm just trying to get a good grasp of where to start as far as the morphs go. I'm thinking of buying a 2012 female now and then possibly breeding her with a nice pastel down the road, what do you guys think? I was also thinking about a lesser platinum too what would be really good to breed that with?

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I wasnt trying to call you immature it just sounded like you were getting into it for the wrong reasons. I mean look at your posts. Most of the questions were about money. Im only concerned for the (potential) animals.

Anywho if i were you i would get 2 females now and raise them up then when they get to size buy a 2 gene male to breed to both of them. This will make some awesome combos for you no matter what morphs you get. You would have a few different chances at getting a triple gene animal your first year breeding.

That sounds like a really good idea. I'm just trying to get a grasp on how much I can spend and still get really nice looking morphs because lets face it if I could afford an Enchi Coral Glow I would be all over it, that morph is amazing! I haven't been able to keep reptiles for a little while now due to housing complications but now I got a nice stable pad and all I can envision is racks of beautiful snakes so I'm really excited to start collecting again. It's just one of those hobbies for me though where most of what I've learned is from forums and talking to people online rather than a group that meets or something. There is a couple of nice expo's coming to my area in September that I'm looking forward too though. Thanks again, buying the two females first makes a lot of sense to me.

dont take it the wrong way, no one was calling you immature or anything. But it happens every 2-3 weeks i would say someone joins bp.net and asks something along the lines of "whats the best way to make money breeding ball pythons" or "what morphs will sell at the highest price for babies". this is also the same people that give the ball python/ reptile community a bad name. And a few of your post have money as the major topic.
Keeping ball pythons as pets is different that breeding. If you want to keep them as pets no problem anyone with a little common sense and a passion for ball pythons/reptiles can. when you look at breeding( this is the way i see it anyway). there is a lot of things to consider before you just jump right in. Get females first-they take longer to mature, get quality! not quantity. You can start breeding ball pythons with any budget. The thing about breeding that i have considered multiple times is, you breed, you get 6 eggs, all 6 hatch. be prepared to to be able to house and feed all those babies all the way until they die(or you do). There is no guarantee that every baby that hatches you will sell, it takes time, and people have to trust you before they send you any money. Think about these things before you spend all the money on something you dont know if you really want to do. I have had my ph albino(sold as 100% no papers) female for over 7 years, ever since i have had her all i wanted to do was to breed her to an albino. There was plenty of times that i could have(friend have had albino males), but chose no to. All because i am still a college student, was going away for college for 4 years, and knew that i did not have them money or the time to care for any babies that hatched let alone try to sell them. I started picking up my collection again in NOV '11 to hope to breed for the '13/14 season, knowing that i will be almost done with my degree in biology/pre vet, and i will be able to decide then if i want to breed or to wait longer.
As for what morphs i think you should get. It doesn't matter what i think you should get. It only matter what you want, and only what you want. everyone has different opinions on they favorite morph/ what morphs they want to one day create. such as, i LOVE anything albino, where as some people on this fourm, feel albino are boring because they make all colors either yellow or white. do some searching on KS and fauna and find snakes you like and that are in your price range, personally i strongly feel you should pick up 2 gene female(save up a little more money), they will give you more possible offsprings when you plan on breeding. Most people save money on equipment, such has build a rack instead of buying one, so they have more money to spend on snakes to fill the racks. Just DO NOT BE CHEAP ON A THERMOSTAT!!!!
Do some research on the snakes you are thinking of buying, and from the people you are thinking of buying from.
world of ball pythons' genetic wizard will be your best friend when planning your breeding projects.
I think i can speak for a lot of people on this forum, where not mean we just don't like when people join here and their first intention is to see how much money they can make off breeding ball pythons, and by some of your post they seemed money oriented. Bp.net is like a family, were happy for each other, we love pictures, and we also argue about topics.

Tom

I spend oodles of time on http://www.worldofballpythons.com/ playing with the genetic wizard and browsing their morph list. Between bp.net, wobp.com, ks.com and fauna...you'll get your answers as to what makes YOU go "whoa" :)

I'd say up your 300 to 500 and get a male bumblebee hatchling or well started and a breeder female normal
gives you
1/4 normal
1/4 pastel
1/4 spider
1/4 bumblebee