What are you in it for?

I've been wondering this ever since I told someone I wanted to breed snakes.

Whenever I've had a pet, my first thought was, "I have to keep this going... it can't end here." From my first cat to my latest Ball Python morph and Chinchilla mutations (don't get me started). I told someone I wanted to breed ball pythons and they said, "There's no money in it unless you do the mutations... have you looked into the Albinos?" At the time they were $3000 each and I thought to myself, "How the hell could I ever afford that?"

I've since learned there's a huge market (this is going WAY back, lol), and if done right you can make bank at it. But there aren't too many business savy people out there...

I was just wondering why you're so into it. I love the morphs, but to keep as many critters as we do, we have to at LEAST make the project pay for itself.

So, be honest... whay are you breeding morphs?

I guess I didn't write up the poll fast enough... what a crock...


so here it is...
money
hobby
i like ball pythons, but you can sell THAT one for $5000!!!!!

Money would be great and all...BUT I just want to make some awesome living art for myself!:gj: I don't know if I'll be able to sell anything!

See, great answer... I guess real answers is better than a poll question... there's always life behind every question.

I know what you mean... I just want to make my own BEL... because I can! (the sibs will pay for them, LOL)

It's a great hobby, if a few bucks come my way then awesome!

If not, then I still have my hobby. :)

We (my son and I) got into it quite by accident; we saw one at Petco and went home and started to investigate.
My boy is 15 and wants to go to the Univ of Montana and major in wildlife biology with a zoology minor. He thought this might be a cool place for him to start with some hands on stuff.
He decided that if we make any money, he wants to save it for his little nephews. My daughter has leukemia and her son's will need our help~ in every way.
He also wants to buy a cool green or red beamed laser (go figure!)
So, that's what we want. An education from our reptile brothers and maybe the chance to help our family.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by starmom

We (my son and I) got into it quite by accident; we saw one at Petco and went home and started to investigate.
My boy is 15 and wants to go to the Univ of Montana and major in wildlife biology with a zoology minor. He thought this might be a cool place for him to start with some hands on stuff.
He decided that if we make any money, he wants to save it for his little nephews. My daughter has leukemia and her son's will need our help~ in every way.
He also wants to buy a cool green or red beamed laser (go figure!)
So, that's what we want. An education from our reptile brothers and maybe the chance to help our family.

---

Ok... my heart hurts now so I gotta be business like...
The fact that you have a male Lesser is good. If you have any normal females, great, get them big enough to breed the Lesser to. Keep the girls... in time buy a Super Lesser BEL to breed them to.

If you can afford it, buy a male Het Lavender Albino NOW. Breed them to normal females, keep the 50% het females. A year or two before those 50% Het females are ready to breed, buy a Lavender Albino male, or two, depending on how many 50% Het females you have. Breed them like crazy, and by 2014 you can pay for the lil nephew's college education, and then some.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bait4snake

If you can afford it, buy a male Het Lavender Albino NOW. Breed them to normal females, keep the 50% het females. A year or two before those 50% Het females are ready to breed, buy a Lavender Albino male, or two, depending on how many 50% Het females you have. Breed them like crazy, and by 2014 you can pay for the lil nephew's college education, and then some.

---

LOL ... maybe if the prices on lavs don't come down over the course of the next six years AND if the price of a college education doesn't increase in the next six years ... but as well all know, that won't happen. ;)

-adam

I didn't specify if it was a community college.... LOL!!!

Nah, I expect them to go the way of Albinos and Piebalds... maybe even quicker... probably 1500-2000 each by then.

this year will hopefully be my first year at breeding. the reason i want to get into to breeding is i have a passion for the animal always have been one of my all time favorite snake was never allowed to own them until about 3 years ago so i do have quiet i collection but very young still my oldest female will be minimum weight some time this year.

but i also love the variety.

For me its great to go sit in the snake room . Its like going to the zoo for me . I love to have some goal in mind every year and see if I can achieve it. Its great to make a few bucks if you can . Its just awsome to be able to pick and choose with your clutches. I have a local breeder that breeds everything you can think of and its easy to do some trades for other animals I want to add to my collection. I hope to add some locality boas that I would otherwise not be able to add this year without this years clutches. Dont get me wrong if I could quit my day job and work with reptiles every day , That would be a dream come true for me . I love everything about this hobby, the anticipation of eggs hatching and wondering if that special animal will prove out is unbelievable. Its like pulling that handle on a slot machine and hoping for 777.........Its a very unique hobby , People give you some odd looks when you tell them you saving for a $3000.00 snake.

I guess I'll keep all the morph that(if) I produce, then sell normal male to the pet shop. Then keep all the normal female to myself as well to make more animals for myself :D

I'm dead serious. :)

Then I might sell everything off right before I die, I know my family won't take care of them when I'm gone lol

Two birds with one stone...Get to keep and breed this beauties and make some cash while doing it...That and it keeps me out of trouble - You know - The titty bars...:D
BT

I think I have been able to hold to my original plan.

That would be to produce the morphs that I want to keep.

Secondary to that was to make the hobby pay for itself, although if I break even I'll be shocked. That part came after the initial rush of what I could possibly produce. The pragmatic part of the plan.

Factor in the time spent on the animals, and I think it is alot like producing art, you cannot place a monetary value on it early on or you would cease to produce (as you would never see your investment back - investment = time AND money).

But I do think it changes. My first year, I adopted 3 normal males... all of whom I adore, but who I probably won't reproduce. But that doesn't mean I have any intentions of rehoming them or not keeping them.

Bruce

I am addicted to snakes. They are just gorgeous, awesome animals, different from what the main "critters" are. I love the way they move, the colors and patterns, different personalities, I love everything about them.

My goal is to get as many as I can, either by buying them, or producing my own. It's pretty pathetic when I already know that whatever I make by selling snakes, will go right back into buying the next snake. I'm not ashamed to say that. :D

Well, I am alergic to almost all animals with fur/hair. I have always wanted a snake and then when I got one I jsut couldn't have only one so now i have 8 and I'm breeding them and if I can take my hobby and make some cash on the side to support some of my other hobbies (tunning cars, videogaming, ..etc) then that is great. If not then I have some really sweet looking snakes that I can show off :)

I went in and added your poll for ya..

I don't breed, but if I did it would be for the sheer joy and excitement of it. It's a beatiful process and the babies are all different. I would do it once or twice if I could keep them all...I hate selling/trading/rehoming animals.

When I was breeding fish, it was with the specific aim of getting excellent wild stock of an under-represented species, and then supplying the hobbyists and other breeders with something that I felt people would really love.

I have collected some nice balls in the past couple years. I have the makings for Bees and a couple other combos, but at the moment they are still only pets. I may breed, but not really into selling animals to people I don't know or trust. They are to valuable to me to sell to just anyone. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by hgrub

I guess I'll keep all the morph that(if) I produce, then sell normal male to the pet shop. Then keep all the normal female to myself as well to make more animals for myself :D

I'm dead serious. :)

Then I might sell everything off right before I die, I know my family won't take care of them when I'm gone lol

---

You might want to pick someone out that cares about snakes and will them to him or her. Even if you are young , accidents happen. Even though most people would see them as only snakes, they are living creatures in your hands. My animals from the dogs on down have a secure place to go in the event of my death.:)

For me, its all about genetics!

The anticipation of hatching eggs from crossing projects and not knowing what they will look like is the ultimate rush!

Marc

It's all about the MONEY baby.











j/k I have to say, I'm in it for the babies. There is nothing like seeing a little nose poke out of an egg. I don't care what the market does, I will always enjoy pipping eggs.

It is an honor to just be around these fascinating animals. Wake up everyday and check up on them...clean cages..believe it or not I love it, Any excuse will work just to hang out in the Herp room.

I may breed this year and I have been wishing to do this for years. I am just so excited to see the little ones. Genetics is just an added bonus.

I love the potential for combo morphs. It is a near-obsession for me now :) Not to mention I love these snakes for what they are now, not just what they'll produce. When you buy an animal and are overjoyed at looking into its tub months and years after your purchase, you are doing yourself good. Watching an animal that you bought or produced from babyhood to breeding age is nothing short of miraculous.

To you guys with your websites, rodent factories, etc, c'mon...admit it...

I think that anyone who's invested thousands and incurs a significant expense for feeders every week isn't doing it on that scale 100% for the love of it...I think that to justify that kind of time and financial investment you first need to love it and second there needs to be a potential for at least some kind of return...there's no shame in that...its just a hobby that has been taken to the next level. Its what drives a lot of us to produce quality animals for ourselves and others to enjoy.

The problem is the haters out there that make it taboo for anyone to say that getting a return from a hobby is good thing...

I personally like the idea that my hobby will enable me to produce/trade for some morphs that I really like (and otherwise couldn't afford), and sell the rest to cover my feeder bill for a few months...I guess I'm just in it for the money! lol....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muddoc

j/k I have to say, I'm in it for the babies. There is nothing like seeing a little nose poke out of an egg. I don't care what the market does, I will always enjoy pipping eggs.

---

Exactamundo!

I don't look at it as an investment that I need to justify. I look at it as money that I spent on animals that I had to have. If I wanted to invest and make money, there are better ways I can think of to do that! But I have too much on my table to get into that.. Now, my husband is all about the investing prospect of these snakes. And that is fine with me; sure, they will pay for themselves with the offspring they produce. My pastel, for example. I bought him for a price in 2006, and in 2007 I made back much more than the price I shelled out for him, and even kept some of his offspring. Yet factor in the costs of feeding, incubating, materials.. I don't really mind if I lost money, because I look at these snakes as more of a luxury than a money maker.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

I personally like the idea that my hobby will enable me to produce/trade for some morphs that I really like, and sell the rest to cover my feeder bill for a few months...I guess I'm just in it for the money! lol....

---

Anyone who breeds and sells is in it for the money, not in a bad way.... it just enables you to trade, sell & buy what you'd like, but may be out of your reach money wise.

The rush for me is that egg pipping! :banana:

I have to say, of the few, few, breeders I have talked to and met, they really stir up some strong feelings regarding snakes, morphs, breeding etc.

I think they got to where they are almost purely on blood and sweat because they love their hobby, and are addicted to it.

I do have to question some motives when they hint at breeding for money to buy more snakes.... to make more money.

It's natural for us to question, because when you have a passion for something, you want it to be the best. You love snakes, and want to have the best out there and provide the best for others.

There is no shame in making money in your hobby, but how do we know your still in it for the animals, and care more about them than the money?

I don't breed them yet, but here is my answer.

I just love snakes. Plain and simple. I'm not out to make large amounts of money off them. I doubt I'd ever be able to do what 8-Ball and NERD do. If I can sell some, thats great. Then the hobby starts paying for itself but actually trying to make a living off it, no.

Oh and did I mention, I LOVE BABY SNAKES!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

There is no shame in making money in your hobby, but how do we know your still in it for the animals, and care more about them than the money?

---

...pretty easy...when every penny goes back into getting more snakes, buying feeders, racks, etc..make a profit? The animals ARE my profit...it's worse than a crack habit...

Overall, its pretty easy to tell when a hobbyist is in it for the money or not.

I think as far as the animals coming first or not, those looking to question others' motives need to look at all those guys at shows, on kingsnake, fauna, etc that buy and resell...aka Flippers...the problem is that these guys sell cheap and some the same people who whine about the animals not coming first buy from these guys because they can save a few bucks...sounds kind of hypocritical...

Its fairly easy to tell a good guy from a bad guy if you know what questions to ask...

You're sweet, and I appreciate your thoughts....I don't even have a normal!! I just think that if I keep this light and focus on the fun and the caring of them, and bring my nephews into so that they see the world is bigger than what they have lost.... so that they can help care for something and help something live... I don't know. It's a mess, actually.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bait4snake

Ok... my heart hurts now so I gotta be business like...
The fact that you have a male Lesser is good. If you have any normal females, great, get them big enough to breed the Lesser to. Keep the girls... in time buy a Super Lesser BEL to breed them to.

If you can afford it, buy a male Het Lavender Albino NOW. Breed them to normal females, keep the 50% het females. A year or two before those 50% Het females are ready to breed, buy a Lavender Albino male, or two, depending on how many 50% Het females you have. Breed them like crazy, and by 2014 you can pay for the lil nephew's college education, and then some.

---

I just like snakes. Pulling a freshly shed snake out of her hide, seeing that nose poke out when a mouse is offered...they are just great animals. :)

That and they don't crap in the drapes like my cat. :mad:

I already have a full time business that pays me very well and a lot more than I could ever make off selling my geckos & snakes. To me our snakes and geckos are my getaway, my forget all my stress and enjoy a passion that I share with Ken.

Can you remember the first time you held a snake? The first time you felt that powerfull body wrap itself around your hand? To feel the cold scales as they moved along your skin? The rush of excitment the first time you saw a high white pied and or got to hold it.... better yet buy it? I still feel that every time I hold each and every one of my snakes and my geckos, and I pray that feeling never goes away.

Would I like for my hobby/passion to pay for itself? Hell yeah, who whouldn't? I just don't ever want it to feel like a job to me, become something I have to do insted of something I want to and enjoy doing.

I love snakes and earning returns to buy more snakes is where its at!

Your a bunch of addicts! The first step is admitting... I on the other hand, don't have a problem... I can stop anytime. :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Your a bunch of addicts! The first step is admitting... I on the other hand, don't have a problem... I can stop anytime. :)

---

You are just silly :rolleye2:

It's nice when the hobby can pay for itself, but the ultimate goal is in what you can produce. For me, it's about the process. I love watching snakes I've raised from birth grow up and lay eggs. I love the watch and wait for that first pip and the subsequent hatching. It's all about going full circle....

Cheers,
Kat

Mostly hobby but I admit it would be GREAT if I can at least get it to the point where it pays for itself.

IMO no one who valued their mental and financial health would get into herps for the money. In fact, the reason you see so many "collection for sale" ads is just this-to anyone who doesn't absolutely have a PASSION for the animals, breeding is often a LOT of work for surprisingly little (or no) return.

I firmly believe those of us who successfully left more mainstream jobs to attempt to make a living as reptile breeders all seem to have this passion in common. Since caring for reptiles isn't really "work" to me, I seldom notice the long hours.:gj:

For me it's a hobby and the love of these animals nothing more.

Well since I can't have a job, my snakes are just a hobby with some extra cash attatched to it! If I sell a snake for 2,000 dollars, and I spend 1500 of it on another snake, or supplies, feeders...etc. my profit is 500 dollars that you can spend on whatever, in my case a car or an apartment fund for when I go to college. So out of a 2,000 dollar snake you really get 500 dollars, which is a heck of alot smaller than 2,000 dollars you just sold the snake for. But hey, you just sold a 2,000 dollar snake to a happy person, and bought some snake supplies, or snakes, and you have cash left over! Perally, I dont want to sell any of the snakes I produce, but I have to ell some of the less productive (for me) ones in order to get the ones I want.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BT41042

Two birds with one stone...Get to keep and breed this beauties and make some cash while doing it...That and it keeps me out of trouble - You know - The titty bars...:D
BT

---

LOL!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by elevatethis

To you guys with your websites, rodent factories, etc, c'mon...admit it...

I think that anyone who's invested thousands and incurs a significant expense for feeders every week isn't doing it on that scale 100% for the love of it...I think that to justify that kind of time and financial investment you first need to love it and second there needs to be a potential for at least some kind of return...there's no shame in that...its just a hobby that has been taken to the next level. Its what drives a lot of us to produce quality animals for ourselves and others to enjoy.

The problem is the haters out there that make it taboo for anyone to say that getting a return from a hobby is good thing...

I personally like the idea that my hobby will enable me to produce/trade for some morphs that I really like (and otherwise couldn't afford), and sell the rest to cover my feeder bill for a few months...I guess I'm just in it for the money! lol....

---

Talk about hitting the nail on the head! Guilty as charged!

For us it's about a family hobby that if it ever makes a bit of money, well that's nice and would be appreciated but who knows if that will ever happen LOL. If we focused on that cash return, we'd have given up a long while back. It's so hard to find a family hobby that covers generations and everyone can contribute something....for our family that's a niche beautifully filled by the snakes. :)

I simply love all animals... I take great pride in giving animals great homes and the best possible life I can provide for them. As for snakes... I bought a normal.. saw all the potential morphs and wanted more. The money is a nice side piece but I only plan on breeding to get my next pet. I dont want a massive collection as I still have plenty of other animals (dogs, macaws, horses, cows) I want to properly care for so I cant stretch myself too thin. I have 11 snakes right now and plan on finishing with 25-30. Once I buy a Pied I dont see myself buying anything else as I'll have all the ingrediants to make my the pets I want.

I just like snakes. I don't want to breed anything except possibly one day black racers, since I'd really love to see how they are if you raise one from hatch vs. WCs, and there aren't really any captive bred ones available. It'd be a neat experiment anyway. Other popular species seem way overpopulated, why breed more of something there's already plenty of, unless it's to bring in new, wild blood to a depressed species? I'd also like to be better able to rescue snakes in the future, but right now I just don't have the space/money, especially for the big and commonly dumped snakes. I'd really love to be able to rescue more ballies and a BCI, red-tail, whatever or two. Maybe a Hogg island :rolleyes: Maybe once I get my first ball cleaned up and settled in and healthy I'll rescue another :D And maybe some day I can open an honest-to-gosh rescue somewhere that really needs one, especially if I ever opened a pet store and could do adoptions. Owning a pet store is the only instance in which I'd breed balls, corns, etc.

I'm in it cause I love these animal's, in the long run I just hope to trade my stuff to get more bp morph's. I'll sell some stuff don't get me wrong but what drives me is producing that pied from my het's, that bumblebee, ivory, and super lesser. Man I'm loving my first breeding season Yb's and pastel's.

I have always loved animals of all kinds. and I bred tarantulas for years never could turn a profit from it but I loved it. at one time i remember having over 500 spiders including all of my spiderlings. over on the arachnid forums people called it the pokemon syndrome ( gotta catch em all ). I was fascinated by all of the different species and types.
I guess its the same with breeding ball pythons. I have always loved the morphs and I remember pieds going for 30k and thats why i didn't get in to it earlier. but i guess im rambling again so long story short. I just want to have all of the morphs and I love the thrill of hatching. so i guess you could say I got a fever, and the only prescription is more ball pythons.

Money is cool but snakes:snake: rule:gj:

Nuff said