So, I want to be a breeder.

Someday, not too soon at all, I think I'd like to breed not only ball pythons but corn snakes, burms, blood pythons, corn snakes, etc.
I know a lot about this but I wanted your input. What things do you think are important for a first time breeder to know? I'd appreciate advice from first timers or veterans. :)

Be prepared to care for all the offspring should they not sell

Yea I'd say the biggest thing is caring for the incoming babies.
Assuming you'd know all the proper care of the snakes in question by the time you start breeding, you would know what to expect in terms of babies. While ball pythons usually have small clutches compared to other snakes (3-7 eggs), consider the other species you thinking of breeding who usually have 10+ eggs per clutch and corns with the ability to double clutch in the same year,and the Burmese are usually in the 20-40 egg range. You probably wouldn't be able to sell the babies immediately straight out the egg (especially with the new ban imposed on interstate sales of burms), how would you handle all the mouths to feed should they not sell at all? That's a question that would apply to any species you attempt to breed.
If your really set on breeding in the future, I'd start getting the racks for hatchlings before you even attempt breeding. Of course if you start with hatchlings of your own and raise them up you have a few years to sort things out but you want to have everything in line before producing your own babies.

Hi,

Just make sure you can house all the offspring until they are eating and ready to go. Sometimes they can take a while to move but as long as you can house and feed them it isn't a problem.

Plan it out first - there is no use breeding corns, balls and crested geckos if you only have one incubator. That can hold 6 eggs tops.


dr del

True, and Bloods/Borneo's/Sumatrans are capable of having over 40 eggs, though not the norm.

Usually 5-30

Yes--these are all the reasons I'm not planning on breeding soon. I want to be totally ready--I know how many eggs each snake can have, and I'm not equipped AT ALL right now for any babies. But, I plan on getting incubators--maybe even building my own ones? Large ones?--and building my own racks, etc. When I have enough space for this and then some more space just in case, I know I will be ready. I know some snakes probably won't sell soon; maybe some wouldn't even sell at all! And I have to be ready for that, and I'll wait patiently until I am. I don't want to be irresponsible. I want to be fully prepared--the snakes deserve that.
So: caring for babies--check. Anything else? loving the advice :)

With hatchling babies, unless you have a friend doing it, be prepared to shell out cash for live feeders

Breeding your own is better but it aint cheap either. You can save money yes, but also factor in time spent cleaning rats, money to build racks for them, food, bedding, valves, place to put them....etc etc

Have fun! dont let other people worry you or make you feel wrong about bringing another creature into the world other then being able to properly care for them. Breeding reptiles can be just as rewarding as your dog or cat or even child having babies.
When you produce something for the first time it is one of the most amazing things ever being able to look at something you had the pleasure of bringing it onto this earth. Treat them as your child, make sure they have everything at mouths reach to make sure they strive and survive this life. The problem with a lot of beginner breeders is they dont stop and think about what they are doing without putting dollar signs in there eyes.

with the proper care and husbandry you can have the time of your life having your babies have babies.

I plan on breeding my balls for the first time next november. I could potentially get 3 clutches IF all 3 girls take. Over the summer i plan on getting a hatchling rack and finding an old mini fridge to use as an incubator. Or i may make one out of a big cooler. My local pet store breeds their own rats so that shouldnt be a problem. These are all the things ive planned out so far. But if something goes wrong then i just will wait and wont pair them in november. My biggest suggestion would be make sure you have everything you need and plan out everything beforehand so youre not scrambling to get things ready after your female lays.

Make sure you spend money for quality equipment for your bator, no cheap stats!!! And go substrateless, you'll be glad you did.

Don't get in it for the money, do it for the enjoyment and advancement of your hobby. It's great if you end up making decent money breeding but I think you'll end up enjoying yourself more if that's not your primary goal.

For starters stick to one species first. Also if you are going to breed a number of animals you need to understand the market for those animals. Burms are gonna be hard considering you cannot ship out of state anymore so what would you do with a bunch of hard to sell babies not to mention a dying market. Also it is very expensive. Colubrids are a funny bunch. If your breeding for money you have to produce mass quantities to make anything off of corns.

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Originally Posted by snake lab

For starters stick to one species first. Also if you are going to breed a number of animals you need to understand the market for those animals. Burms are gonna be hard considering you cannot ship out of state anymore so what would you do with a bunch of hard to sell babies not to mention a dying market. Also it is very expensive. Colubrids are a funny bunch. If your breeding for money you have to produce mass quantities to make anything off of corns.

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I agree with this post. Most people start collecting or some say hording. when in reality you cant afford to upkeep all these different reptiles. But when your breeding sticking to one species helps a lot because you know the husbandry of that particular species.

I would first recommend that you work with snakes/morphs that you like. I think a lot of people get caught up in the money or latest hot morph rather then what they really liked to begin with. I started with pieds and they are still one of my favorites today. Also, before spending money on snakes I would make sure you get proper housing, thermostats, etc. I would slowly build your collection as if it gets too big too quick it may feel like a chore. And most important....have fun!!

Start slow and definately get the morphs that you enjoy. It is a great hobby. I have owned BP since 2007(normal male and female). Once I felt comfortable I had housing down to a T, I bought my first morph(male spider). My collection is still under 20 snakes and is easy to manage and enjoy. Last year was my first year breeding and selling. My male lemonblast( bought in 2009 for $700) bred 3 normals and a pastel. I sold off all the offspring except for 3(.1 superblast, .1 lemonblast & .1 pinstripe) and made 1500 from the rest. So my 700 lemonblast gave me 1500 in my pocket, 3 new cool females and I still own the original male. Good Luck