Becoming a Professional Breeder: Is it too late?

Hey guys, I need some advice here. Let me explain my situation right now. I'm in my final year of high school. My plans for next year were to go to the university of Guelph for zoology. Just recently I recieved my midterm marks. I am sad to say, they are not university-worthy. I don't know what I will do if I don't get into university.

I would really love to become a professional reptile breeder. But I am just worried that its too late for someone like me. Every year more and more morphs are coming out and more and more prices are going down. Do you guys think that its possible for a kid like me to catch up to the big guys and actually make a living?

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

I would really love to become a professional reptile breeder. But I am just worried that its too late for someone like me. Every year more and more morphs are coming out and more and more prices are going down. Do you guys think that its possible for a kid like me to catch up to the big guys and actually make a living?

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I would say it isn't something you can jump into full time right away and expect to make a good enough living to make it worth while. But I think if you found another job and do reptile breeding on the side temporarily and keep building your collection and improving your collection with the money you make off you initial investment, then things MIGHT work out, all depends on how you play your cards. I am doing this on the side in my spare time, it isn't something I that I expect to make a full time job anytime soon because of the reasons I stated earlier. If one day down the road, things improve, and I am able to get to the point to where I can still support and improve my collection, and provide healthy, top quality animals to my customers, and make a good enough living to support my family and I, then that would be one heck of a occupation, but as I said, I am putting all I have into my collection and if that time comes, it comes, if it doesn't it doesn't, because I am just enjoying what I am doing. Sorry for the rambling, just don't make plans, be willing to learn more everyday, and don't neglect the animals you already have trying to grow too quickly. :salute:

What goes up, must come down. Supply and demand is like that. Economics will always drive out those that are ill-prepared for the long haul.

Like the PrototypePythons said, if you have time to invest in the game, it's possible to come out on top. I am adding "But not if you looking to get rich quick, willing to cut corners and do not do it legally (shipping, registration, tax..etc)"

You can basically tell which ones aren't going to stay in it because of the steps skipped (perhaps they think they can do those steps later) many don't know that how you start is how your name sticks in people's minds so if somoene is cutting corners and it shows, they usually won't last long.

Ultimately this causes those that aren't in it for the long haul to drop out and the supply decreases and the demand (as new customers come and more of them get old enough to be able to afford their desires) stablilizes or increases (can also decrease, but I don't think so).

So can you do it? I agree with PrototypePythons, don't expect to be able to support yourself right away. Have a job. Some breeders (me for example) work full time and breed part time. I Plan to do it full time after I retire. *I am still in the learning, gaining experience stage.*

want a good piece of advice? get into a TRADE, i have university educated friends and alot of plain high school educated friends, i never went to collage or university either and i make more than teachers or most university educated people , most of my friends who went into the trades, plumbers,electricians etc make waaay more than any of my university educated friends, only way university pays off is if your going to be a doctor, lawyer or get your BA to become a teacher, a high percentage of my friends in the trades make 85-90k a year OR MORE, the demand for skill labour is crazy right now, plus once you get fully done you can branch out and start your own gig

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Originally Posted by jeffjr464

want a good piece of advice? get into a TRADE, i have university educated friends and alot of plain high school educated friends, i never went to collage or university either and i make more than teachers or most university educated people , most of my friends who went into the trades, plumbers,electricians etc make waaay more than any of my university educated friends, only way university pays off is if your going to be a doctor, lawyer or get your BA to become a teacher, a high percentage of my friends in the trades make 85-90k a year OR MORE, the demand for skill labour is crazy right now, plus once you get fully done you can branch out and start your own gig

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That also depends on what type of trade you get in. I'm a Union Ironworker myself, and make $28/hour. Demand for Ironworkers is great, but its not for everyone. Not everyone is comfortable walking something as wide as a ruler (not length wise) at dwindling heights. Not many are comfortable building bridges, power plants, silos, skyscrapers, and mass buildings...

As well as that, the area (state/city), and the rate on renovation and construction will determine the need for that particular trade. Even the time of year will determine how booming construction is. The electricians here make around $5-6 more than we do, yet they're laid off throughout a lot of the year, where-as we're constantly busy. The Carpenters are pretty slow majority of the time to.

If you do decide to go for a trade skill; remember this... Its not what your getting paid, its your work ethics, attitude, and craftsmanship that keeps you working. If you're lazy, suck at your job, or plain just show yourself off as an oaf on the job site; your going to be laid off majority of the time and not many will want you on their job site. If your skilled, proficient, and professional about what you do, then you won't go hungry ;) Just to give an example...my first year in, I made $123,000...it wasn't just because of my wage rate ;)

get your BA to become a teacher:confused::weirdface:rofl: Teachers make no money.

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Originally Posted by Pwilliams58

Hey guys, I need some advice here. Let me explain my situation right now. I'm in my final year of high school. My plans for next year were to go to the university of Guelph for zoology. Just recently I recieved my midterm marks. I am sad to say, they are not university-worthy. I don't know what I will do if I don't get into university.

I would really love to become a professional reptile breeder. But I am just worried that its too late for someone like me. Every year more and more morphs are coming out and more and more prices are going down. Do you guys think that its possible for a kid like me to catch up to the big guys and actually make a living?

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Are you contemplating being a reptile breeder or exclusively a Ball Python breeder? This Morph pyramid thing seems to be a major concern with Ball Pythons but there are all kinds of reptiles to breed. As it has already been pointed out you would likely need another source of income while you built your breeding business.

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

That also depends on what type of trade you get in. I'm a Union Ironworker myself, and make $28/hour. Demand for Ironworkers is great, but its not for everyone. Not everyone is comfortable walking something as wide as a ruler (not length wise) at dwindling heights. Not many are comfortable building bridges, power plants, silos, skyscrapers, and mass buildings...

As well as that, the area (state/city), and the rate on renovation and construction will determine the need for that particular trade. Even the time of year will determine how booming construction is. The electricians here make around $5-6 more than we do, yet they're laid off throughout a lot of the year, where-as we're constantly busy. The Carpenters are pretty slow majority of the time to.

If you do decide to go for a trade skill; remember this... Its not what your getting paid, its your work ethics, attitude, and craftsmanship that keeps you working. If you're lazy, suck at your job, or plain just show yourself off as an oaf on the job site; your going to be laid off majority of the time and not many will want you on their job site. If your skilled, proficient, and professional about what you do, then you won't go hungry ;) Just to give an example...my first year in, I made $123,000...it wasn't just because of my wage rate ;)

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Priceless advice. If only I had read this earlier in life!!!!

One of the hardest lessons I have ever learned:

Find out what the market looks like for your trade, before you train for the trade! don't ask a recruitor. do hard core research for yourself.

Another option, if you don't want to get into a trade and have other plans in mind, start out at a community college... get your general ed credits done there and they can help you to make sure that what you are taking there will transfer and is what you need when you get into a university. I don't think that community colleges get enough credit really, way cheaper than university and it will help you to bring your GPA up (as long as you work hard) in order to be able to transfer/finish school in a university. But I would definitely say get your education or start out in a trade, even if or when you get into really breeding and selling snakes on a larger scale, I believe that it is always good to have something that you can fall back on just in case something happens. But good luck with whatever you decide!!

If you're crazy about reptiles I don't see why not. You have to obviously start a collection and have high quality pets (for the pets sake)
I went into a Trade for my profession of choice because I can't do University type work. I just can't sit in a school and work my ass off on things that really have no meaning, like redundant courses. I'm currently in a massage school and it's great. I think it's amazing and it's easy. 9 months and you're a licensed massage therapist. Awesome job, flexible hours, very peaceful, plus you could have your snakes in your office while you're at work!!!

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Originally Posted by Sunny1

Another option, if you don't want to get into a trade and have other plans in mind, start out at a community college... get your general ed credits done there and they can help you to make sure that what you are taking there will transfer and is what you need when you get into a university. I don't think that community colleges get enough credit really, way cheaper than university and it will help you to bring your GPA up (as long as you work hard) in order to be able to transfer/finish school in a university. But I would definitely say get your education or start out in a trade, even if or when you get into really breeding and selling snakes on a larger scale, I believe that it is always good to have something that you can fall back on just in case something happens. But good luck with whatever you decide!!

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You actually get college credits and go through college courses when you go through an apprenticeship for a union construction trade ;) You even get a degree. I have a degree in metallurgy, and I have no idea what it is, really :P

I plan on becoming a breeder, but mostly for the fun of it. I'm sure I'll see a profit in a few years, but that will just lead to another morph acquisition.
If you love it, do it.

I plan on breeding reptiles on the side. I would say get involved with someone in your area who is maybe a breeder or like that and learn all you can.

Ouch and Guelph is a tough school to get into to. Their vet program is the best in the country (or used to be).

If your heart is set on going to university why not become a super-senior. Do your senior year over and because you should know most of the stuff, you should be able to significantly pull up your grade average. It's another year of high school granted, but in the end it could change the whole course of your life.

While you are completing that year you could use that time to lay down a plan for breeding snakes. Depending on your university living situation, time constraints and so forth you would have to plan ahead for a snake collection while you attended university. This extra year of high school could buy you that time for yourself and to see where the market is in another year.

I am going to list one more thing, if you do take the trade school to heart. Most people will lie to you at first, but the construction industry is very dangerous. I will speak from experience, Ironworking is one of the most dangerous, and I have watched people die. Take it into consideration. It's not all fun and games, and something needing to be seriously considered. On the other hand, our health, life, and dental is one of the best in the country among civilian jobs and employment, and retirement is one of the best as well.

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Originally Posted by AndrewH

You actually get college credits and go through college courses when you go through an apprenticeship for a union construction trade ;) You even get a degree. I have a degree in metallurgy, and I have no idea what it is, really :P

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I'm sorry, I don't know much about trades or what you have to go through exactly to be able to work in one. I will be going to nursing school myself and give a lot of credit to the community college I went to in order to finish up all of my prerequisites before being accepted into nursing school (only this summer left of prerequisites and starting nursing school in Aug!!! Only two more years after that and I will be finally done!!! YAY!!). I was just throwing out another option for him depending on what route he ends up deciding on taking, hopefully you didn't take offense to what I said. If so, I didn't mean to. Trades are awesome too, just not for me;)!! And I definitely give you props for doing what you do, AndrewH. Too scary for me!! :P

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Originally Posted by Sunny1

I'm sorry, I don't know much about trades or what you have to go through exactly to be able to work in one. I will be going to nursing school myself and give a lot of credit to the community college I went to in order to finish up all of my prerequisites before being accepted into nursing school (only this summer left of prerequisites and starting nursing school in Aug!!! Only two more years after that and I will be finally done!!! YAY!!). I was just throwing out another option for him depending on what route he ends up deciding on taking, hopefully you didn't take offense to what I said. If so, I didn't mean to. Trades are awesome too, just not for me;)!! And I definitely give you props for doing what you do, AndrewH. Too scary for me!! :P

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Congratulations on nursing school, and I hope for the best for you :)

No offense taken :P I was just throwing out you get college credit for what you do in the union trades :) And no props are needed :P Honestly, its very fun. Not every person gets to hang out with their friends, point at a building or bridge, and say "Hey, I helped build that". Especially at a younger age :)

AndrewH,you made $123,000 in 1 year!?!!?!?!? if i had $123k, i would buy 1 super expensive ball python, and a porsche!!!!!!!

Thank you Andrew!!!


To the OP, don't let this stop you from finishing your education and doing what you want to do. Though things may not be working quite like you wanted them to, there are still options out there to help you get to where you want to be. They may require a little extra time and effort, or going down a different path altogether than what you initially planned, but I'm sure with some hard work you can do it!! Again good luck!! And never give up!!

It's never too late to do something you love if you are dedicated enough. :D

Dude....you're young.

Find a Cougar.

Then, once she kicks the bucket, you can do whatever you want.

AHAhahahaHAHAhahaHHAhahAhahahHahahahAhaha

Ok, seriously now. Trades are great. I used to do construction. Stay away from framing and manual labor. Get into finish carpentry. Rich folks always need work, no matter how the economy is. Electritians and plumbers will always have work because no one wants to poop in a bucket in a dark room.

Metal workers are, for the most part, insane. But well paid. Are you insane now? If not, can you be soon?

Also, and a lot of people your age don't know this, but even if it takes you 5 or 6 or more years to get into that school, you're so young that when you graduate, you've still got most of your life ahead of you. Don't sweat it if you don't get in next semester. Really.

The Cougar thing though, I would look into it. Doesn't your mom have any single rich friends?

LOL

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

It's never too late to do something you love if you are dedicated enough. :D

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That's it, Heather hit it on the head. I understand that this is part of our American culture: If you want something bad enough you can get it with hard work. And, I understand that you're in Canada and have a different culture. However, I think that if you don't go for your dreams then you will forever wonder if you could have made it.
So, follow your bliss. You are a kid and so you have that luxury. Take the adventure that is life and make your dreams into your goals. Life is fickle- grab it now!!!

I should have thought to ask. Did you actually apply to other universities other than Guelph? Just because Guelph turned you down, doesn't mean everyone will. Guelph used to be, and I assume still is, one of the hardest schools to get into, generally has a wait list on most of their programs, and offers animal husbandry courses you just can't find anywhere else in the Province of Ontario.

You used to be able to do community college and if you picked the right program, use that to springboard into a good university. Not sure how that works these days (it's been more years than I want to admit since I graduated high school in Ontario). Have you spoken to a good guidance counsellor at your school?

My cousin wanted to be a vet and ended up having to take classes in Rome, because vet schools were so tough here.

Also don't become a super-senior, just graduate and take some college classes elsewhere, even maybe online courses. Most people don't know but it doesn't matter where in your state you take your first 2 years of college are going to be the exact same. Its all gen ed classes.

Also don't adhere to the "4 year plan". Its pretty silly to try and graduate in 4 years, but some people do it. If you don't like school and find little use in it, then it will take you longer like 4-6 years to graduate AND THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.

I personally have tried about 5 semesters of college and find it to be a waste of time, so I am not making college my main goal anymore, but more of a side goal along with working.

Hey, college and universitys aren't for everyone!

I'm a late bloomer. I cruised through highschool and some college... not knowing what I want to do with my life.

I must have changed my major 7 times in college.... I've since been on a break, my best friend has just graduated from nursing school 2 weeks ago. I just don't know what I want to do. LOL

Since then, I've worked a lot of jobs, different areas, and still, not entirely sure what I want to do with my life. I've once in a while decided, but never followed through.

Can I get a degree for procrastinating? I hope so.

My advice is to not do what I did, and try as many things as you can in highschool, get set on a goal, and follow through. Avoiding making that decision will hurt you more in the long run.

If anything, just get a general degree, associates or equivalent, and go from there. (if you want ;))

I don't believe everyone has to have a PhD to have a successful life. It depends on your definition of success.

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Originally Posted by munding

AndrewH,you made $123,000 in 1 year!?!!?!?!? if i had $123k, i would buy 1 super expensive ball python, and a porsche!!!!!!!

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Haha yes I did. I did invest some of it, but the majority of it (around 80-100K) went into a bank account to sit for when I needed it, rather than wanted it.

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Originally Posted by wilomn

Metal workers are, for the most part, insane. But well paid. Are you insane now? If not, can you be soon?

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This is priceless words of advice :rofl: :D Most of the Iron Workers you'll meet will literally appear insane with the work they do. :rofl: You'd have to be to do this line of work.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I don't believe everyone has to have a PhD to have a successful life. It depends on your definition of success.

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I just have a GED, and make 3x as much as most people wish they could, in a year ;) Then again, I'm technically insane compared to most people :rofl:

One more thing to add, pup. In all honesty, do what you love to do, and do something you enjoy. If you can't have fun at work, your in the wrong line of work ;) The more fun you have with work, the better you'll get. Why? Because you enjoy it most. Good luck with what ever you pick; but the Union construction trades are something to greatly consider. You will honestly make more money than majority of the people that go through college. College is paid for by your hall, AND you get different degree's and certifications that will help you get side jobs as well. Let's say the seasons slow, and not much commercial work is coming out....you could do some side jobs/houses/what have you, and make a little extra money on the side ;)

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Originally Posted by munding

AndrewH,you made $123,000 in 1 year!?!!?!?!? if i had $123k, i would buy 1 super expensive ball python, and a porsche!!!!!!!

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thats what the pay looks like on paper my dear. Union pay is a large package pay.. your physical take home pay is less. Hubby is a Union sheet metal worker in NY. he looks fabulous on paper, however, his take home pay is much less after distrubution to all the various things in the package, ie. medical, vacation, annuity fund, etc. So there is no running out and getting a major expensive morph snake and a porche. Just food for thought.

Ahhhh, if I could only take what I know now and go back to my senior year in high school....

Just some food for thought.....

If you are considering being a professional reptile breeder, I would put a strong focus on BUSINESS. Most professional reptile breeders run their own businesses...and most people overlook the fact that they spend almost as much time with business operations as they do caring for animals. Go take courses (or get a mentor) to learn how to run a business. In your spare time, breed reptiles as a hobby (and stockpile money for startup expenses). Then combine the business and reptile knowledge and attempt to form a successful business.

Everything you do is about your education weither it be from college, a mentor, trade school, or 'the street'. Never stop learning. Try to understand how to apply what you learn and work hard....then you will do well.

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Originally Posted by Ladydragon

thats what the pay looks like on paper my dear. Union pay is a large package pay.. your physical take home pay is less. Hubby is a Union sheet metal worker in NY. he looks fabulous on paper, however, his take home pay is much less after distrubution to all the various things in the package, ie. medical, vacation, annuity fund, etc. So there is no running out and getting a major expensive morph snake and a porche. Just food for thought.

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That was actually my take home pay :) Ironworkers differe from others. Every trade differs in how their pay is deducted. After taxes, health insurance, and everything is deducted by our check, we get about 74-76% of our check in actual pay, vs. our inuity, vacation, pension, etc. You just need to play it wise. A hard lesson learned by some. Instead of taking all of your paychecks, and buying ridiculous stuff you want. Spend it on the necessities, and bank the majority of it. You never know when work will slow down, or come to a halt, and if it does....unemployment does run out... I've learned the hard way.

One thing to list with at least Ironworkers pay, if you are considering that part of the trade (I don't know any sane person that would consider it :8:)...0-8 hours of work a day is straight pay. Anything worked over 8 hours a day is time and a half. Anything worked over 10 hours a day is double time. Saturdays worked is time and a half all the way up to 8 hours a day, and anything after 8 hours a day is double time. Sundays worked is double time allllll day. This is how we get in our overtime pay, vs. other employment, where you get overtime pay for anything over 40 hours a week worked.

Heres my 2cents... I just finished my 4yr degree and suggest you go to college. If you want to be a professional breeder youre going to need some start up $$ and quite a bit of it. No offense but your fresh out of high school and not many bankS are going to give you 20k to start up a business when you have no credentials. I suggest the community college route. No matter what your concentration is the first 2yrs of college are the same any place you go.The best side of the CC is the cheap price... Around here its like 2500-3000 for a yr at a CC. If youre paying for college yourself youre gonna need loans. You can save 30-40k just by going to a CC. This decision also gives you time to figure out what it is you want to do with your life so you know when you go to apply to a 4yr

The problem I see with kids I went to school with is they got a degree in one field but work doing something completely different. If you're going to pick a subject specific job then make sure its 100% what you want to do. My brother got his 4yr & masters in elementary ed and then decided he wanted to teach gym and had to go back and get a second masters... long story short hes 90k in debt and has a 45k job. For this reason I chose Business Administration for my major knowing its pretty much universal throughout. I got lucky and landed my job 3 yrs ago but the hard part isnt finishing school... it's finding a job once youre done with school.

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Originally Posted by frankykeno

I should have thought to ask. Did you actually apply to other universities other than Guelph? Just because Guelph turned you down, doesn't mean everyone will. Guelph used to be, and I assume still is, one of the hardest schools to get into, generally has a wait list on most of their programs, and offers animal husbandry courses you just can't find anywhere else in the Province of Ontario.

You used to be able to do community college and if you picked the right program, use that to springboard into a good university. Not sure how that works these days (it's been more years than I want to admit since I graduated high school in Ontario). Have you spoken to a good guidance counsellor at your school?

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Yes, I did, I applied to the university of western ontario, and waterloo, which are both even harder to get into! Thanks for the advice everyone, I'm thinking community college is probably the way to go, and hopefully THAT can get me into a good university!

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Originally Posted by Ladydragon

thats what the pay looks like on paper my dear. Union pay is a large package pay.. your physical take home pay is less. Hubby is a Union sheet metal worker in NY. he looks fabulous on paper, however, his take home pay is much less after distrubution to all the various things in the package, ie. medical, vacation, annuity fund, etc. So there is no running out and getting a major expensive morph snake and a porche. Just food for thought.

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Yeah and don't for get the taxes in that bracket as well.....:O

TO the OP of this thread. If you are interested I will give you some info on income from breeding income. I will not release my income in public. Just not somethign I will do. ut it has bought me my house. I will not give you what my income is but I will give you an idea.

I will say Reptile Breeding is fun for me. I love shows. I meet people that vend shows that say they hate it. I ask them why do it then.

Is there money to be made in this hobby? Yep. But you have to do what you love to do. TO get into this hobby just to make money....99% of the time you will fail. Becuase the cost is up there also. YOu have to think. Food for animals, Cleaning supplies and caging. Electric bill, Gas bill, ect......

I am not one that will buy a morph of ball python to breed becuase it is worth more. I love Ghosts(hypos) combos. Like the honey bee and Carmel Glow. I am not a fan of te Albino Combos.


Some people will say you can not make money breeding snakes. But then again hundreds of people do it every year. You just have to do what you love to do. If you like four leggers do four leggers. Youknow