Any Advice On Breeding Ball Python Morphs?

i'm 12 and im thinking on breeding ball python morphs (as a hobby). But i want to take it seriously :D i make an average of 500-600 dollars a year and im not against saving up. I would appreciate advice on supplies, what morphs to start with, up front costs etc. any info helps and i will greatly appreciate it i currently own a normal

I would suggest holding off for a few more years, when you're more likely to have a more steady and significant income. Breeding isn't something to just jump into, especially at such a young age and with such little income. I'm sure more knowledgeable people will chime in, but that's my two cents.

You'll probably be saving up for a long time then.

This is my first year and what I have bought:

1 6qt rack (150)
1 28 qt rack (250)
1 41qt rack (300)
Herpstat 2(250)
Incubator(professionally made $700)

I still need to pick up a 15qt rack.

If you can make your own, it'll be cheaper, but you can't skimp out on thermostats.

Also, no one can tell you what morphs you need.

A lot of people here don't breed to make money, and you're most likely not going to make back your money in the first year or two.

Ive bought morphs that I like, and can use to make the more expensive morphs that I want and can't yet afford.

I agree with the others. Save up some more money and do a lot of research before jumping into this hobby.
Some of my snakes cost more than twice as much as your yearly income. And that's for one snake alone.
Please think carefully because this is not a cheap hobby. Will you have the funds to feed, maintain, and house your snakes? Not to mention emergency medical funds.

About what I started out with...give or take (not including misc stuff)
1) 6 tub rack - $400-600
2) Herpstat 2 thermostat - $250
3) 6 tub rat rack + rats for food - $150
4) Newspaper substrate - free
5) supplies for rats (bedding/food) - $30/month
6) Incubator (converted wine cooler) - $40-50 (including heat tape, tubs, etc etc)
7) Hides/water dish - $10-15
8) Provent-a-Mite - $25
My snakes range from $100-1300.
You should pick the morphs you like. It's all personal preference. If I were to go back to choosing my first animals, I definitely would have started with 2 gene morphs rather than single genes.

And you should start out with females first. Don't worry about males until after your girls turn 1 year (if you start with hatchlings). It takes about 2-3 years for a female to sexually mature. Males can mature between 6months to a year old. So they won't be needed right away while your females grow.

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Originally Posted by Bobbafett

Also, no one can tell you what morphs you need.

A lot of people here don't breed to make money, and you're most likely not going to make back your money in the first year or two.

Ive bought morphs that I like, and can use to make the more expensive morphs that I want and can't yet afford.

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thanks for the advice

Depending on the number of snakes you get, food alone will consume your current budget.

As was mentioned before, factor in racks, electricity, thermostats etc... as well.

Honestly, you also need a buffer for possible vet visits.

ALL of that and still have not budgeted an animal, or animals in the case of breeding (need at least 2 :D).


As far as morphs, find what you like within your budget and get the BEST EXAMPLE you can find. Quality in, quality out. As long as you are working with quality, it does not matter where you start on the morph ladder.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by satomi325

I agree with the others. Save up some more money and do a lot of research before jumping into this hobby.
Some of my snakes cost more than twice as much as your yearly income. And that's for one snake alone.
Please think carefully because this is not a cheap hobby. Will you have the funds to feed, maintain, and house your snakes?

About what I started out with...give or take (not including misc stuff)
1) 6 tub rack - $400-600
2) Herpstat 2 thermostat - $250
3) 6 tub rat rack + rats for food - $150
4) Newspaper substrate - free
5) supplies for rats (bedding/food) - $30/month
6) Incubator (converted wine cooler) - $40-50 (including heat tape, tubs, etc etc)
7) Hides/water dish - $10-15
8) Provent-a-Mite - $25
My snakes range from $100-1300.
You should pick the morphs you like. It's all personal preference. If I were to go back to choosing my first animals, I definitely would have started with 2 gene morphs rather than single genes.

And you should start out with females first. Don't worry about males until after your girls turn 1 year (if you start with hatchlings). It takes about 2-3 years for a female to sexually mature. Males can mature between 6months to a year old. So they won't be needed right away while your females grow.

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thanks for the advice i will definitely think on my financial situation and im still just as enthusiastic just gotta wait a a couple years thank you again

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jinx667

Depending on the number of snakes you get, food alone will consume your current budget.

As was mentioned before, factor in racks, electricity, thermostats etc... as well.

Honestly, you also need a buffer for possible vet visits.

ALL of that and still have not budgeted an animal, or animals in the case of breeding (need at least 2 :D).


As far as morphs, find what you like within your budget and get the BEST EXAMPLE you can find. Quality in, quality out. As long as you are working with quality, it does not matter where you start on the morph ladder.

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At your age, I would get a really nice pet female (Spider, Pinstripe, whatever; the base morphs never go out of style), and spend a few years raising her. Become the best at husbandry that you can and she will be more than ready to breed when YOU are ready.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jinx667

Depending on the number of snakes you get, food alone will consume your current budget.

As was mentioned before, factor in racks, electricity, thermostats etc... as well.

Honestly, you also need a buffer for possible vet visits.

ALL of that and still have not budgeted an animal, or animals in the case of breeding (need at least 2 :D).


As far as morphs, find what you like within your budget and get the BEST EXAMPLE you can find. Quality in, quality out. As long as you are working with quality, it does not matter where you start on the morph ladder.

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thanks

Yeah. I agree with Jinx. Maybe start off with one other female. Maybe add a second next year. But with your finances, I wouldn't go more than that for now.

But great job on planning ahead! Props.
:gj:

I agree with the suggestions given, but why start with a single gene, you can find a nice 2 gene male which you can raise, I find raising a BP from a baby forms more of an appreciation for the animal therefore making yourself a better breeder when the time comes.

You will get a feel for when your animal is gaining or losing weight, when he/she has had enough... and trust me no matter how distorted a pattern is, I can still pick out my 1st normal BP in a bucket of normals just by looking.

Give it time and save save save, then ask a lot of questions and ask some more... questions here can essentially help you to spend your money wisely, and as a starting breeder I'm sure a breeder will be willing to cut you a deal or 2 considering your interest...

You could buy a female morph that is in your budget this season, then save up. Buy a hatchling, and save up all that you can while you raise her. It takes a while to raise them, so you can probably manage to have a decent amount saved in 3 years. Just remember that you will also have an initial investment with her setup, and then the food adds up over the year. If you feed her once a week, and can find rats for $2-3 each, you'll be spending $110-160 (or possibly over $200 on a 5 day schedule) a year just to feed her. When you eventually get a male, you have to double that, and that is just your budget for food. Just make sure that before you pair her with the male that you have an incubator ready, and you're prepared to house and feed a whole clutch of hungry hatchlings :). On a side note, you should talk to your parents about the possibility of needing to take your ball python to the vet if she gets sick. I would definitely recommend having the money yourself, but if for some reason you can't afford it, it would be best to know that your parents could loan you the money for it.

In short, you can't go wrong with getting a female right now. Some day you'll be able to afford breeding her, and until then you'll have a great pet :gj:

Edit: I forgot you already had a normal. If your normal is a female, you should just stick to raising her for now. If its a male, and you can afford feeding two mouths, then you might be able to get a female morph within budget. That really depends on how much rats cost in your area though, if you want to save money :)