question for all that own 5+ snakes

I have 10 snakes and I don't "try" to handle em. I just do :D. Every morning before I go to work, I check each tub from the side view to see if there's anything I need to clean out. The tubs are too small for the rack because they hold babies, so I just got the lids with the tubs and I'm using them. For my adults in their big tubs that slide perfectly into the rack, I'll just pull the tub out and slowly lift the hide to see the snake still alive and maybe going into shed!
Every OTHER day, I'll change water in the morning for sure, and if they need new paper towels, I'll just change 'em out before going to work!

Each snake will obviously need to be changed at some point, so whenever I do that, I can't resist taking them out and looking at them! I just check for obvious things.. I want to make sure there's no dents in the eyes (humidity issue most of the time). I'll look around their vents to see if they're going to poop soon.. I'll check their mouths to make sure it locked back in place after a meal.. Make sure they're active and aware of me! I love looking at their little pupils turning to look at me! So weird! That's normally when I take pictures of 'em! When I do, I post 'em here :D.

The morning of feeding day, I'll just go through and check all the snakes again (probably take them out and walk around with em), and make sure everyone is squeaky clean before feeding later in the day around 5 or 6).

When my mom comes over, she likes to hold them while she watches TV, so I'll let her hold one of the babies :D.

Sorry for the essay :P:oops:

No.

I handle for maintenance, and the couple that seem to enjoy handling.

Ball pythons don't "need" some interaction with humans to be happy well-adjusted snakes. They are not social so the perception that not dragging them out to hold and fuss over is somehow "neglecting" their need to be petted is false for MOST snakes.

The few that do seem to enjoy coming out and being handled do. But I'm not going to drag my breeders out to the outside to have them stress over being in the open sunlight just to satisfy a nonexistent need for play.

Nothing against those that handle their snakes or take them outside or whatever. If YOUR snakes enjoy it and don't stress, that's great. I used to take mine outside and let them crawl around until I learn to see the signs of stress and the fact that mine were looking for hiding spots, not 'exploring in fun'.

Snakes are individuals. Some enjoy handling, some prefer to be left alone in peace. You should learn what your snake needs and strive to meet that need, regardless of human perceptions.

Oh, and to add...

A responsible breeder figures in the amount of food that the hatchlings will need if they don't sell right away. It's not a hardship to feed 2-3 clutches of babies or 10-20 clutches of babies if you've prepared for it like a responsible person should.

Selling the babies is a certain amount of work, depending on what you produce, how many you produce and what prices you wish to get. There is usually a level of advertising, some communicating with potential customers, some shipping or delivery time... etc... all while caring for and feeding all the original snakes and the babies that have not yet sold.

Some make a decent profit, many might break even, a lot lose money. If you do it only for the money, you can end up sorely disappointed. If you do it for the love of breeding, you're probably going to enjoy, whether you make a profit or not.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JaGv

how do you guys manage to sell all the off spring and also what if all those hatcling dont sell ive seen some of you guys post about 2-3 clurches thats a couple babies to feed there.

i dont plan on breeding i dont see any profit in breeding..im just wondering how you guys do it getting 2-4 clutches sold

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we produced over 80 babies and sold over 50 babies last season,and I promise you there was a bunch of profit in that group :D
As always it takes money to make money, if you don't buy quality snakes and don't spend what it takes to produce snakes that people want, then you're correct, there's no money in it.

I care for the breeders and my partner takes care of the babies and sub-adults. I handle the breeders a couple of times a week and the young ones get the same if possible.
It starts to get difficult holding them all weekly, but we try :)