Desert problems

:P They are gorgeous snakes. I just want to wait a bit longer to see if more females start actually growing old enough. How old is this project now? How old are the oldest females? We should either see females finally getting big enough to breed...or start seeing 5, 6, 7, 8, or even 9 year old girls still slugging out..

If they are indeed sterile, like said before, the males are still breedable and the females can be sold as high end pets. Pet price does NOT necessarily mean 25 bucks. I think of it sort of like the high end dog breeders. You will pay quite a lot of money for one of their pure bred dogs. But you will pay QUITE a bit more for a dog that is not fixed. These female deserts, if they are sterile (or almost sterile) probably won't drop as much in price, but definitely won't be worth as much as if they had breeding potential!

We'll see, we'll see.



And some people say the project is still too new. I'm curious--legitimately--How many more years until we should really begin questioning whether or not the females are going to work out? People say not to talk about it while it's so young/when there is no evidence yet... Just curious when it's okay to start really getting suspicious. Next year? Five more years? :O I really have no idea, I wasn't around during all these other early ball python breeding issues!

I think the issue is that the folks who have adult desert females aren't being very forthcoming. It's understandable why--there is a lot at stake.
I would say, 1 more year, 2 tops, and the truth will be known with certainty. If none of the females have produced viable clutches by then, we can safely say that none are going to.

Hearing all this I still think ill get in on the project, there's always a chance of some freak of nature.

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Originally Posted by kevinb

Hearing all this I still think ill get in on the project, there's always a chance of some freak of nature.

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Admire your persistence :gj: One day you will have a desert female that breeds like a beast and you'll be the one laughing :D :D

Gotta give it a try. If it is all age/size based like some say then it should happen sooner or later. Plus if they don't ill have some nice display animals. ;)

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A similar question was asked on the KS ball forum....see what Kevin from NERD had to say. If anyone would know I would imagine it would be him.

They have been around for long enough now. It's clear there is a problem with females reproducing.
Even if someone posted photos of a desert female clutch.
I'd still stay away, because that would be 1 in a 1000.
They're beautiful snakes. But I'm amazed the prices are still so high.

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Originally Posted by Kev.K

They have been around for long enough now. It's clear there is a problem with females reproducing.
Even if someone posted photos of a desert female clutch.
I'd still stay away, because that would be 1 in a 1000.
They're beautiful snakes. But I'm amazed the prices are still so high.

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I agree that the prices are crazy, but I feel that breeders are scared to sell off a possible female that ends up producing after all.

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Just my personal opinion, but if I could do it, I would not hesitate to begin a Desert breeding project. I'd be very happy to raise those girls up and see what happens, and not be in any hurry one way or another. I absolutely love Deserts and their combos.

I think a lot of the "mystery" surrounding them is due as much to public perception as it is to reality. In our culture of instant gratification and information, we have less and less tolerance for the "wait and see" approach. Less trust for it as well. We've become an impatient and cynical lot. When something doesn't turn out exactly as expected right at the same time that all our interests have turned to that subject...then we are quick to assume that our current perception of that moment is reality and that the only explanation for the apparent failure is some vast conspiracy pulled over on us by "them". :rolleyes:

I'll be happy to take any Desert females off your hands. Worthless creatures that they are. :rolleyes:

I think the more people who get involved in the project, the faster we'll know what's up! Those brave enough to buy them early get a chance at a huge payout if they breed as well as we all hope they do. :)