Watch "Why I don't breed ball pythons" on YouTube

[Stewart_Reptiles]

I get what he is saying but he didn't enjoy breeding ball pythons so of course he was going to lose interest. Why would anyone do this if they didn't enjoy it? I would guess most of the collection sales are people who were in it for the money.
Etc.....

^This^

I will also go a little further in translating the video, "I thought I could get rich over night even though I did not care anything about them anyway, ran into some issues, gave up and now I tell everyone they shouldn't do it"

He is at least right on a few things it's not a get rich fast type plan, you get out of it what you put in it and the number one ingredient you have to put in is PASSION

I do not do this for a living however, my collection pays for itself and make a profit each year, I did not start breeding hoping it would ever make a profit, I did because I could not afford my dream morph at the time and wanted to produce it myself. I am still here while over the years many have called it quit and my goals are still as simple producing my next dream snake.

[PitOnTheProwl]

Im the first to admit I get tired of all the stress I make for myself keeping and breeding these snakes. Not to mention the work caring for all the rodents to feed these guys.
About the time I am ready to turn everyone into belts and boots one of the girls will give me these little white sacks of joy. Then the frustration of waiting to pip or cut comes around.
When I see those little heads poking out, I remember that its all worth it. 👍

[MrLang]

What Dave said. Everyone is entitled to their own decision. What's frustrating to me is that people who are in this for the wrong reasons do not take the welfare of the animals seriously enough.

[lunasjy]

I have not once met a person who was into ball python, or any snake breeding, just for the money. I could understand the stress that big breeders have, but for me, my collection is small and hopefully stays that way. I love ball pythons. I have other snakes, but the ball pythons for me is where it is at. But this is all personal right?

There is no huge money to get made, but I also did not quit my day job to breed ball pythons. I also did not spend my college money on ball pythons either, I never had a college fund. I took out student loans and have almost paid them back. He put snake breeders into one group when there are hundreds of reason why people are into this. Basically judgmental on his part. I am not a high school or college drop out, I am not poor or rich, I am not in it for the money, and I will not "throw away" unsold hatchlings. Where does he get these ideas that we all the same? If he doesn't want to do it then fine. I don't want be a hair stylist but I do not need to tell the world about it...

If it came down to it, and a ball python could not be sold simply because no one wanted it, even if I posted him/her as free, I would keep it, feed it, love it. Nothing would stop me. And who cares what we choose to sell our snakes at? Seriously? If I feel like giving 20-50% off, then I will. Good for you because you are getting a deal, why are you whining about it?

[BCS]

Hmm... I don't really get it. Was his video a rant? A review? Or maybe a diary? Whatever, so he doesn't like breeding ball pythons, but he seems to be happy breeding monitors. All the luck to him in his project. As for my BP projects, whether it makes me money or not, I love it!

Oh and as for the OP wondering about unsold BPs. Honestly, if I had the room, I would keep EVERY ball python I ever hatched out. But unfortunately with my home being the base of my hobby, I cannot keep them all. But if it ever arose that I could not sell one, I would care for it like any other. Eventually it will be an adult and worth more. And if it still doesn't sell, then he/she will be an awesome pet. It's not like I would throw it out the window and wish it luck.

[Monty's_Mom]

Everyone who has commented are choir members (as in "he is preaching to the choir.") but I am sure there are people who think that all they need to do is to fill up a rack the size of a bookcase, let them screw their little brains out and be able to quit their job/school.

[tacticalveterinarian]

Even though I keep many other reptile and amphibian species, and interact with all types of creatures daily as a career...I still love keeping and breeding ball pythons! Regardless of what species each person decides to keep or breed, whether it is strictly a hobby or a career to pay the bills- the most important aspect to remember is we have a responsibility for the well being of every single individual kept under our care!

[BrianDallek]

^This^

I will also go a little further in translating the video, "I thought I could get rich over night even though I did not care anything about them anyway ran into some issues, gave up and now I tell everyone they shouldn't do it"

Whoop there it is

"but he seems to be happy breeding monitors"

So damn funny lol. This guy is trying so so hard to look successful and of superior intellect.

The BP world is being ruined by guys like this who breed for money with no passion rather than quality. Every animal in my collection was purchased as part of a well thought out plan and is an above average example of the genetics at play. I don't buy animals for the price or because of the amount of dirty genes it has crammed in it. I will survive the BP bubble bursting because I'm invested at a sustainable level with animals that are quality.

[carolineleven]

So no one thinks that's the message was "I was a stupid kid getting animals I didn't love for the wrong reasons, please don't do what I did. Now I can afford having animals I'm actually interested in and I planned ahead and am doing it for the right reasons, and can easily afford it and keep them, unlike before."? No one got that? I will readily admit I zooned out a few times, but I think that was the main message?

Maybe he's preaching to this choir, but a lot of people aren't part of this choir and need to hear it. Common sense isn't always something you're born with, and I'm happy people make vids like this to make people think twice. Just because you can buy an animal doesn't mean you should. Not everyone will have parents telling you no(a point he made in the video) and the money could be spent elsewhere.

[Monty's_Mom]

So no one thinks that's the message was "I was a stupid kid getting animals I didn't love for the wrong reasons, please don't do what I did. Now I can afford having animals I'm actually interested in and I planned ahead and am doing it for the right reasons, and can easily afford it and keep them, unlike before."? No one got that? I will readily admit I zooned out a few times, but I think that was the main message?

Maybe he's preaching to this choir, but a lot of people aren't part of this choir and need to hear it. Common sense isn't always something you're born with, and I'm happy people make vids like this to make people think twice. Just because you can buy an animal doesn't mean you should. Not everyone will have parents telling you no(a point he made in the video) and the money could be spent elsewhere.

There are easily 1/4th members and 3/4 guests for this forum at any time. Enthusiasts who want to become breeders need passion, just as the big breeders had when they started out. Enthusiasts need to understand the BP industry now so they don't lose their shirts in the hope they can quit their day job.

When the breeders who are making good money now started, normal BP sales can almost pay the bills. Having a single morph snake was exciting. I believe, in general, the more syllables needed to describe something different, means the market is saturated for anyone except big breeders. I would guess that big breeders lose money on buying a single snake more than they can recover. Their reputation and generations of offspring help keep them afloat. I also wonder how many raise just BPs or do they raise/breed other herps. Do they use their BPs, no matter the morph as a gateway to increasing a customer base for other, more expensive reptiles?