How did most of you get started with breeding? I started out by just getting snakes I liked. I had my snow corn, then almost a year later, I got two ball pythons with no true intention of breeding, but once I started looking into all the morphs, I started to get interested.
What is the typical start-up cost of a breeding project for a new breeder? It can be anything. My first pair of ball pythons were a 100% het pied male and a normal female. Total cost for the pair $125. Then you had the cost of the tanks we kept them in. Few months later, we invested in our first morph, a pair of pastels, totaling around $325. I eventually got rack systems and totaled, my snakes (including the corns and boa) and enclosures (if you don't count the tanks and only the racks) is valued at almost $3000. This does not include the cost of driving to get the snakes, shipping for the racks, water bowls, heat lamps, hides, bedding, or the monthly cost of feeding everyone.
What sort of day jobs do breeders have? I work in retail as a bookseller. I'm hoping to get a 2nd job.
How does one start out as a breeder - which is to say where do you start selling at? I haven't sold anything yet, but I plan on selling online and at shows.
How much money does one actually make with breeding that is profit (I understand this varies based on how much one spends on certain animals, but still general answers would be greatly appreciated)? I hope to break even. I just want my hobby to pay for itself so that my husband isn't wondering where all of our money is going. As long as I break even or come close to breaking even, I'll be happy financially.
Is this more of a hobby than an actual money-making process for most breeders? It depends on the breeder. Some are in it for just the money, and some are in it for the snakes. Some are somewhere between. I am personally in this as a hobby. I love my snakes as pets first and breeders second.
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