Breeding normals?

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I guess following the logic of some people here any snake that is at a low price should not be bred

Bye-Bye Cornsnakes, Kingsnakes, Milksnakes because I guess people should not breed those either.

The bottom line an animal's price tag or paint job as nothing to do with it's likeliness to end up being neglected, or abandoned, it has to do with the irresponsibility of the owner and the fact that some people get tired and decide to move on, it happen's whether people spend $20 or $1000+ on an animal.

People trying to control what people should be able to own or to breed is really what's wrong here

[Vypyrz]

People trying to control what people should be able to own or to breed is really what's wrong here

HSUS, PETA, Sen. Nelson...

[BuckeyeBalls]

Reading through this. My question is if we stopped breeding normals. That means you would have to spend more for your bp. But how many people here started off with normals? Im sure alot of people would stray away if they had to spend alot more on a morph due to lack of normals. I bet most people started with normals.

[unspecified42]

I mean, it may sound bad, but look at how many normals are on craigslist, and being rescued.

you never see a pied in need of rescuing.

Nope, but you would if there weren't so many normals. Too many morphs floods the market, lowers the prices, then suddenly morphs are nothing special and you'd find pieds in need of rescuing.

[Quiet Tempest]

Normals are prevalent and inexpensive. We live in a society that, unfortunately, has a "disposable pet" attitude towards most animals. These are the people who readily buy (or convince a parent to buy) the cute and inexpensive normal baby they saw at a pet store or a reptile show and the same people that decide a few weeks, months, or years later that they don't have the time for the animal and want to get rid of it.

High quality morphs are certainly cute but not inexpensive and not likely to be the impulse buy that turns into a neglected animal advertised on CL. People who invest the money into quality morphs are usually invested in its care and long term well-being.

You find poorly cared for animals on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji all the time and this wouldn't be the case if more people put forth some effort in educating themselves about the basic care needed for the animal(s) in question. A little self control wouldn't hurt either. People need to stop feeling cash burning in their pockets as soon as they spot a nice looking animal for sale.

[wendhend]

I bred my normals last year, and they produced 9 good-looking eggs. It was my first clutch of ball python eggs ever, and I have to say that I am really glad I wasn't breeding my albinos or my leucistic at that time, because my incubator didn't work right, and I lost the entire clutch..... but I gained some practical experience out of it. This year my normals are breeding again, and I plan to do things differently. The fancy incubator that failed me will be programmed differently, and I will probably only incubate half of the clutch in it. The other half will be done in my low-tech Hovabator that has never failed me with corn snake eggs. So, hopefully this year my normal hatchlings will survive and I will get to practice with getting them started on feeding and have babies available for people who are wanting them. So, my hope is that next year when some of my morph pythons are ready to start breeding, I will really know what I am doing and be fully prepared for them.

[Inugohan]

I would like to comment on this as well. I have 1.1 normals that I plan on breeding when the female is ready(3 years, then 1500grams if she isn't already) but I have good reason to. I like normals! I selectively bought my normals because they are the best I have seen available. Very bright and yellow, even moreso then many pastels. I also want to make NICE normals available to the "new hobbiest" because I think that it might have a better chance than a boring brown normal. People who start owning snakes don't generally want to start by paying thousands or even hundreds of dollars, but they also want a pretty snake. I plan to provide just that. Nice snakes that are affordable. It's a choice I've made, if I don't sell any, then I am just as happy to keep them all, but I doubt it will come to that. New people are starting into snakes just about everyday, why not let them have the choice to get a nice one? I'm sure they will. I also don't see why it should matter, if I want to produce normals, then so be it. Nothing anyone can do to stop me. Simple as that. ~Caylan.S.~

[WesleyTF]

I actually totally disagree and think MORE normals should be bred, and made MORE available than the wild-caught specimens. If the control of the animals lies in responsible breeders, not only will fewer animals be imported and live in harsh/unsuitable conditions, but breeders can educate CORRECTLY those who in all likelihood want to provide the right kind of care for their animals.

a huge amount of animals are in bad condition because pet shops gave bad advice. imagine if everyone of those people had the right advice from the get-go. more captive bred, healthy snakes.... what's wrong with that?

[BPelizabeth]

I think the disposable pet thing happens with ALL pets. You don't see the dog and cat thing on craigs list as much because ppl just drop them off at some shelter I think. If ppl would do more research on pets prior to getting them then maybe they would be a little more responsible. But yea....I can preach all day about that.

I personally would be sad if we stopped breeding normals. I have to say outta my 5 snakes.....Elizabeth my normal is still my fav....all bps including normals are so very different within their own morph or non morph way. All colors are different....attitudes....markings...etc.

[jben]

you gotta love the normals, they're all different in their own way. i plan on breeding my normals also when goliath reaches his weight, he has some of the nicest blushings i've seen on a normal, pics do him no justice. i love all my pets but i gotta say that goliath is my favorite.