I'd like to start breeding.

[Kittycatpenut]

At the begining of next year, my dad is getting a bonus and giving me and my sister 1000$ each to do whatever we want with. I would like to use mine on starting breeding snakes as a hobby and to supplement our income. I'm patrolling craigslist for adult and hatchling racks. I am going to be producing blue eyed lucys, black eyed lucys, or ivorys, hets for them, some normals, and eventually all of them. Should I start with a pair of mojaves, yellowbellies, or fires? Also, what is the best thermostat for multiple(2 or3) racks and one heat pad?

[adamsky27]

I wouldn't get a pair of mojave's for your BEL's. Get a lesser and a mojave, the snake will be much cleaner. I vote for a lesser, mojave, and a pair of fires for your black eyed lucy's.

There are plenty of good thermostats, check out herpstats and the ones at reptilebasics.

[Kittycatpenut]

I didn't even know a lesser could make a bel, how much would one cost?

[Quiet Tempest]

To be fair, super mojave BELs are neat in their own right. The purple/gray heads give them character. I actually prefer the the super mojo BELs. If you're after a "clean" BEL, though, use a butter or lesser in the equation.

[satomi325]

I wouldn't get a pair of mojave's for your BEL's. Get a lesser and a mojave, the snake will be much cleaner. I vote for a lesser, mojave, and a pair of fires for your black eyed lucy's.

There are plenty of good thermostats, check out herpstats and the ones at reptilebasics.

Agree. Lessers are a pretty morph alone as well. They.range from. $300-400... I would also breed a Mojave to a lesser. Butters can make BEL as well. Don't breed lesser to butters because sometimes its difficult to tell between babies since both morphs look so similar.

Reptile basics have good thermostats

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[Kittycatpenut]

I'll start with a female mojave and a male lesser and hopefully get a super in the first clutch, which I'll keep to breed. Then when I can afford to I'll get an opposite pair whose super will breed with the first. Then I'll do the same with the other morphs. I may breed some with my normal to produce base morphs, and keep a few as pets.

[bishop40k]

Well with a $1000 budget, the mojo & lesser + rack + thermostat will pretty much kill most of that. Female mojos normally go for $250-400, male lessers can go from $200-350, herpstat will be about $100, a basic 28/32qt rack will set you back another $50-400 depending on how many tubs and if you're buying it or building it.

Some of these prices may be a little off, as I haven't shopped for a female mojo in awhile, and bought my male lesser over a year ago. If you want a thermostat that will control multiple racks, you're looking at $300+ just for the thermostat alone (herpstat 4 or pro).

Also remember those snake prices are for BABIES, adult female mojo will cost a good chunk more if/when you find one for sale (think the cheapest I've seen em for was about $600-700).

Don't mean to rain on your parade, but with morphs and complete setup cost, $1000 doesn't go very far, especially if you're trying to get breeding within a year.

[Kittycatpenut]

I was going to use the 1000 mostly on the snakes, and if I have to I'll borrow money from my sister, pay her back with a guitar or blue tongue skink when I can. I could also go with yellowbellies. As for stuff, it'll be mostly used. I'll be watching for stuff on Craigslist and ebay. I'm also looking on kingsnake and Craigslist for the snakes.
You'd be suprised of the posts from people who don't know what morphs are that come up occasionally.

[joebad976]

If you are starting with babies you may as well just buy the 3 females now. You are looking at 2-3 years before you can start breeding so you may as well raise them up and then start buying the males in a year or so. Even if you just buy a Lesser Male you can always pair him with the fire and yellow belly as well.

[Kittycatpenut]

I'm trying to get ready to breed or proven breeders.