** ball python industry going under????**

[majorleaguereptiles]

I've only been breeding for 2 years and my collection's value in today's market is over 50k greater than all my original investments, and when I determine market value in my spread sheets, it's very very low so I'm never surprised in my differences or when I have to sell a snake. I also keep track of which snake in my collection is decreasing or increasing in value... This difference will GREATLY increase for me this next breeding season, as it will be the first season of really producing high end stuff.

For example, you buy a female lesser pastel and she pounds food and puts on weight, her value is increasing with size as she becomes a potential or proven breeder. Same would go with a high end male breeder, when he gets breeding size his value increases... however over time there comes a plateau, then a gradual decrease in value, sometimes faster than expected. Those animals that decrease too much for me, it's time to move them down to the next breeder who's value of the same snake would be better for them for what he/she is investing for. I'm constantly evaluating what snakes I should keep that is a greater value of my own collection and which ones I need to move.

This is why when people ask me how they should get into the business, I tell them they should invest early in female morphs because every rat you feed them, their value increases. That is what I would consider a safe investment, especially if you reduce your own expenses. For instance, this would be no good if you had to buy rats for 5$ each, but if you can get rats for cheap, or produce your own, than it's a solid investment. Then I tell them to invest in a male morphs that are in high demand that you produce more of. Just the way I did it.

Also, when my fiance and I work on our collection, it's an enjoyment and never a burden, so we don't see it as work when it is a passion. That's always the best part.