I need some reassurance here..

[littleindiangirl]

Captive breeding is also for the purpose of keeping wild animals in the wild. Yes, there are people and other countries that will import in large masses, but those "big breeders" you talked about, have people over there that call THEM with something new and unique. Back in the booming days (lol, how long ago? ) I know Brian said he had a guy go over to Africa and scout the farms there looking for something new.

It's definitely died down, and it is argued by folks like the Barkers that continued importation isn't needed in the US anymore, and that we have a very diverse gene pool.

Not to mention, the US isn't the only country importing.

Captive breeding programs are used world over for many species, captive prorogation ensures that we keep the demand for wild caught specimens to the minimum to help wild populations thrive.

I know Kat (Janeothejungle) was often writing about the BP population in Africa, and has said that it can be argued that the numbers estimated is in favor of those that make a living off of farming C.H. and deporting those animals to other countries, and is unfortunately a skewed number.

So, there's a lot to it, just wanted to jump in there.

[tonkatoyman]

To get back to the original question, as an individual who spent 15 years in business successfully, I have found that several things will dictate if you will make money. 1) is your passion for what you are doing. If you don't love it don't do it. Running a business is too much work if you do not love what you are doing. Just keep it as a hobby and enjoy your animals like all of us do. 2) What sacrifices are you willing to make to be successfull. The difference between the weekend hobbiest and the BHB breeder is not passion for the animals (we all have that), but instead the desire to turn your hobby into something bigger. Because if you do not have the drive to succeed at the business of reptile breeding you will fail. Very few people in any business succeed by accident. Yes we love the animals and would own them even if we never made a dime, but that alone will not make you a successful breeder.

[twistedtails]

To get back to the original question, as an individual who spent 15 years in business successfully, I have found that several things will dictate if you will make money. 1) is your passion for what you are doing. If you don't love it don't do it. Running a business is too much work if you do not love what you are doing. Just keep it as a hobby and enjoy your animals like all of us do. 2) What sacrifices are you willing to make to be successfull. The difference between the weekend hobbiest and the BHB breeder is not passion for the animals (we all have that), but instead the desire to turn your hobby into something bigger. Because if you do not have the drive to succeed at the business of reptile breeding you will fail. Very few people in any business succeed by accident. Yes we love the animals and would own them even if we never made a dime, but that alone will not make you a successful breeder.

I definately love my animals and will have lots of fun with this breeding thing. It's very interesting and also has endless possibilities. I like how you answered this on the business aspect of enjoying a hobby. I do audio engineering for a living and people told me I was crazy for going to school for it, that I would never make it. It came down to what sacrifices I was willing to make to make it in the industry and I did make a lot of them. So I totally feel you on that.

[Simpson Balls]

Listen what you did in my opinion was dumb. What you shoulda dun was....
Start of small maybe a pastel male with a normal female or 100% Somthing. You should not be going Ooer 375 with this. Thats what I did. I started with a male spider to a female Pastel. Now I got 2 females out of thar clutch I got this year the rest were norms and pastels and spiders. I'm keeping the Spiders and Bees and selling Pastels and norms. This will get me around 2500
dollars because I got 12 eggs and 6 were Pastel and 1 was a norm. Now what I'm planning to do is by a Lesser male to breed with the females in a couple of years and breed with my honey bee girl next year. Then once or if I get a QueenBee then I'll work on projects for then. Your just like give me Ball Pythons I don't care all I want to do is make money off it. Well Ya gotta start small and move your way up like I'm doing. I've been breeding basics bike Fire to Fire or Pastel to Pastel for the past 7 years now I'm moving up and around with different morphs. In my opinion if your not like BHB Or Ralph Davis or any other person you gotta live with it and do it just for fun.

Now I think i'm done here. hopefully you learn something from this theard.

Daniel~

[twistedtails]

Listen What You Did In My Opinion Was Dumb. What You Shoulda Dun Was....
Start Of Small Maybe A Pastel Male With A Normal Female Or 100% Somtin. You Should Not Be Goin Over 375 With This. Thats What I Did. I Started With A Male Spider To A Female Pastel. Now I got 2 Females Out Tha Clutch I Got This Year The Rest Were Norms Pastels And Spiders. Im Keeping The Spiders And Bees And Selling Pastels And Norms. This Will Get Me Around 2500
Dollars Because I Got 12 Eggs And 6 Were Pastel And 1 Was A Norm. Now What Im Planning To Do is By A Lesser Male To Breed With The Females In A Couple Years And Breed With My Honey Bee Girl Next Year. Then Once Or If I Get A QueenBee Then Ill Work On Projects For Then. Your Just Like Give Me Ball Pythons I Don't Care All I Want To Do Is Make Money Off It. Well Ya Gotta Start Small And Move Your Way Up Like I'm Doing. I've Been Breeding Basics Like Fire To Fire Or Pastel To Pastel For The Past 7 Years Now I'm Moving Up And Around With Different Morphs. In My Opinion If Your Not Like BHB Or Ralph Davis Or Any Other Person You Gotta Live With It And Do It Just For Fun.

Now I Think I'm Done Here. Hopefully You Learn Something From This Theard.

Daniel~

interesting

[Spaniard]

Listen What You Did In My Opinion Was Dumb. What You Shoulda Dun Was....
Start Of Small Maybe A Pastel Male With A Normal Female Or 100% Somtin. You Should Not Be Goin Over 375 With This. Thats What I Did. I Started With A Male Spider To A Female Pastel. Now I got 2 Females Out Tha Clutch I Got This Year The Rest Were Norms Pastels And Spiders. Im Keeping The Spiders And Bees And Selling Pastels And Norms. This Will Get Me Around 2500
Dollars Because I Got 12 Eggs And 6 Were Pastel And 1 Was A Norm. Now What Im Planning To Do is By A Lesser Male To Breed With The Females In A Couple Years And Breed With My Honey Bee Girl Next Year. Then Once Or If I Get A QueenBee Then Ill Work On Projects For Then. Your Just Like Give Me Ball Pythons I Don't Care All I Want To Do Is Make Money Off It. Well Ya Gotta Start Small And Move Your Way Up Like I'm Doing. I've Been Breeding Basics Like Fire To Fire Or Pastel To Pastel For The Past 7 Years Now I'm Moving Up And Around With Different Morphs. In My Opinion If Your Not Like BHB Or Ralph Davis Or Any Other Person You Gotta Live With It And Do It Just For Fun.

Now I Think I'm Done Here. Hopefully You Learn Something From This Theard.

Daniel~

Not only a ball python expert, but an expert in the art of using the shift key.

[LadyOhh]

Listen What You Did In My Opinion Was Dumb. What You Shoulda Dun Was....
Start Of Small Maybe A Pastel Male With A Normal Female Or 100% Somtin. You Should Not Be Goin Over 375 With This. Thats What I Did. I Started With A Male Spider To A Female Pastel. Now I got 2 Females Out Tha Clutch I Got This Year The Rest Were Norms Pastels And Spiders. Im Keeping The Spiders And Bees And Selling Pastels And Norms. This Will Get Me Around 2500
Dollars Because I Got 12 Eggs And 6 Were Pastel And 1 Was A Norm. Now What Im Planning To Do is By A Lesser Male To Breed With The Females In A Couple Years And Breed With My Honey Bee Girl Next Year. Then Once Or If I Get A QueenBee Then Ill Work On Projects For Then. Your Just Like Give Me Ball Pythons I Don't Care All I Want To Do Is Make Money Off It. Well Ya Gotta Start Small And Move Your Way Up Like I'm Doing. I've Been Breeding Basics Like Fire To Fire Or Pastel To Pastel For The Past 7 Years Now I'm Moving Up And Around With Different Morphs. In My Opinion If Your Not Like BHB Or Ralph Davis Or Any Other Person You Gotta Live With It And Do It Just For Fun.

Now I Think I'm Done Here. Hopefully You Learn Something From This Theard.

Daniel~

Daniel,

I would LOVE to see some photos of your collection!!

[Freakie_frog]

Daniel,

I would LOVE to see some photos of your collection!!

As would I... Anyone that has been breeding for Black eye Lucy's for the last 7 years is bound to have a really nice collection..

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Oh, thankfully the expert has chimed in once again....

[Mike Cavanaugh]

BP expert... you do realize that we can see your previous posts by clicking on your name right? You know like the one earlier today (or yesterday) where you didn't know what a pastel was... or the one from a day two or three days ago where you were asking the most basic breeding questions?

Sorry, don't mean to call you out.... but actually I do.