Going to Start breeding

This summer I am planning on getting a breeding pair of normal ball pythons to start breeding. I was wondering if anyone here knew of a good breeder that will be willing to sell me a breeding pair of normals?

I forgot to add a little background information as to why I am going to start breeding these pythons. I am currently in the 10th grade at the Philomath High schoo. To graduate from this high school you need to complete a senior project, this project has to do with what you want to do once you get our of highschool. Since I plan on going to college for Herpatology, I thought it would be a great idea to own and operate a small home based reptile shop. I have 2 years to get this project done, so I have given myself the proper time to finish it. I will also be breeding either king or cornsakes.

:8: Okay, sorry... that was pretty funny.

You probably won't have too hard of a time finding a breeding normal male, but a good quality breeding female will be a little difficult to get ahold of. If you do find a nice one, expect to pay at least $400, but more like $600+. However, you could probably find a smaller one around 1200 grams or so and get her up to weight by winter.

Edit: Another place you can check is your local classieds and pet shops. People will often sell their pet Ball and you can quite often find a great deal.

try and look for females in petshops, or maybe get an '05 couple. here is an 03 male if your interested.

http://www.reptilebasics.com/ball_python_available.html

Be careful of cheaper adult females. They may be imported/wild caught, and may or may not be eating. Trying to find adult breedable females is very difficult. Best of luck.

Try checkin out Kinsnake.com...I saw lots of good deals for females on there...males you can get dirt cheap.

Alright I will be doing that soon. I also will be going to any herp shows. I would be going to the one this Friday in Oregon, but it is on my birthday.

Also what do you think about the project idea? Any other snakes you would suggest that I could breed?

I'm concerned that your choice of animal is not exactly the best for a project like that. I'd think more towards crested geckos or leopard geckos. They are much cheaper to feed, set up, maintain, and breed than ball pythons.

Actually I also plan on breeding leopard geckos along with the ball pythons. Money will not be an issue, I have been saving for a while now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bucko

Actually I also plan on breeding leopard geckos along with the ball pythons. Money will not be an issue, I have been saving for a while now.

---

:2cent: Wish I could say the same :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bucko

Since I plan on going to college for Herpatology, I thought it would be a great idea to own and operate a small home based reptile shop.

---

You'll have to major in biology or zoology since their isn't an Herpetology undergrad program...so technically no one can label themselves a herpetologist.

Just thought I'd point that out. ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JBallPython

You'll have to major in biology or zoology since their isn't an Herpetology undergrad program...so technically no one can label themselves a herpetologist.

Just thought I'd point that out. ;)

---

What school are you talking about? There's HUNDREDS of herpetology programs across the country. They are all in the biology department, but if you graduated with a degree in herpetology, I'd say you could call yourself a herpetologist.

Bucko, if this is a school project, you probably want to go out and get a notebook..call it a "breeding log"....that way you can document everything starting from day 1...I'm sure it will really help out when it comes time to write it up when the project is due. Also, take lotsa pictures and you may want to keep such useful souvenirs as sheds,eggshells,etc. One other thing you may want to put emphasis on in your final writeup is conservation...ie; breeding BPs in captivity helps keep up with the pdemand in the pet industry so that maybe eventually they won't have to be taken from the wild any longer. Just some suggestions.

Thank you so much. I already planned on getting a log book. I will start recording on it the day that I get my breeding pair of ball pythons.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

Bucko, if this is a school project, you probably want to go out and get a notebook..call it a "breeding log"....that way you can document everything starting from day 1...I'm sure it will really help out when it comes time to write it up when the project is due. Also, take lotsa pictures and you may want to keep such useful souvenirs as sheds,eggshells,etc. One other thing you may want to put emphasis on in your final writeup is conservation...ie; breeding BPs in captivity helps keep up with the pdemand in the pet industry so that maybe eventually they won't have to be taken from the wild any longer. Just some suggestions.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by JBallPython

You'll have to major in biology or zoology since their isn't an Herpetology undergrad program...so technically no one can label themselves a herpetologist.

Just thought I'd point that out. ;)

---

Herpetology roughly translates to "the study of reptiles and amphibians." That does not even require a degree, much less a specific one. I think you'd be hard pressed NOT to call Bob Clark or Greg Graziani anything buy herpetologists, and as far as I know, neither have a degree in it ;).

As for the OP, I think it's great that you have an interest in ball pythons. However, I highly recommend buying a book on caring for them. It is a commitment, and a long-term one to care for and, more importantly, breed them.

Best of luck!