Breeding Plans

[The_Crazy_Cornsnake]

I am getting my first snake around late December, and getting three more in March which is when the next reptile expo is in town. I'm building the rack middle of December. My first snake is going to be a spider that I was offered from a breeder in town. I want to start my group of breeders at four. I want to start with two pairs of snakes. One is going to be Spider x Lesser, and the other is going to be a Fire x Mojave. I was wondering if this sounds like a good breeding project for a first-time breeder. I hope to make some LesserBees and some Fire Mojaves. Then breed them when they get to adult size as LesserBee x Fire Mojave. Which would produce some nice Blue Eyed Lucy's. Which would be the end of the project. I may start another one up near the beginning of the first one. But it depends on if I am able to expand more racks. But I may only end up with one floor to ceiling one with the four breeders. Anyways let me know if that sounds like a cool breeding project.

[Ba11er]

Breed what interests you because your going to have these animals potentially for a long time.

If your really interested in the breeding aspect go for it but if you only want to get a blue eyes Lucy wait till you have the money to buy it.

Most small time breeders do it as a hobby and end up spending more money than they make.

[Ax01]

good plans but is this all gonna happen in your parent's house? are they cool with it?

[Craiga 01453]

I would take a few years to keep a snake or a few snakes before jumping into breeding. I've been keeping snakes for years and am still not ready to breed. It sounds like a lot of fun, but there's a LOT of responsibility that comes with it. Will you be prepared to house all the babies for extended periods of time if you have trouble selling them? Will you be able to handle it financially? Vet bills, feeding, housing, etc...adds up quick. Most people who breed end up losing money for several years before they start to profit, if ever. Will you be able to cull any babies that have health issues and the humane thing to do would be to cull them? Do you have secure living situation where you know you can keep these animals for 25+ years?

Just some thoughts... not trying to discourage you, just trying to make sure you're prepared for what you're jumping into. The BP market is already over saturated and I have the animals' best interest at heart.

[The_Crazy_Cornsnake]

Thank you for all of the replies.


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[cchardwick]

Personally I'd start with snakes that are ready to breed, that way you won't have to wait. You may spend a little more but it will let you get your feet wet. Females should be about 1500 grams and males at least 500-800 grams. I wouldn't worry about moving the babies, all reptile shops will give you something for them. Our local shop will give me $15 for a normal, he turns around and sells them for $50. I would keep what you want and sell the rest to a reptile shop at wholesale.

[jmcrook]

Personally I'd start with snakes that are ready to breed, that way you won't have to wait. You may spend a little more but it will let you get your feet wet. Females should be about 1500 grams and males at least 500-800 grams. I wouldn't worry about moving the babies, all reptile shops will give you something for them. Our local shop will give me $15 for a normal, he turns around and sells them for $50. I would keep what you want and sell the rest to a reptile shop at wholesale.

I have encountered numerous shops that wouldn't take another ball python even if you paid them too. I think you are greatly underestimating how overly saturated of a market this is


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[cchardwick]

I have encountered numerous shops that wouldn't take another ball python even if you paid them too. I think you are greatly underestimating how overly saturated of a market this is


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If that's the case maybe you should talk to some local reptile shops in advance. Our local shop here will take all I can give him, any type of snake or rat or mouse. It's in his best interest, he can buy from me cheaper than anywhere else and just marks them up to sell them. That's what every single store in the USA does, buys low and sells higher for a profit, it's what makes the world turn. In fact several shops said they will take all I have, of course that's at very low prices, but it's an easy way to unload them fast.

And I doubt very much that the ball python market is saturated. Right now there is a ball python frenzy taking place. Just go to any reptile show like NARBC and look at all the people huddling around the ball python displays, it's absolute madness. I was actually thinking of getting into boas, woma pythons, or King snakes until I saw the ball python frenzy at a show, the ball python market is as hot as it's ever been. It's actually the best time ever to get into the ball python market, there are thousands of projects to get into, so many morphs, hardly anyone is doing what others are doing any more. And you can get in at any level, from fifty bucks all the way to fifty thousand. It's an amazing time!

[The_Crazy_Cornsnake]

Thank you for all the fead back. I am most likely gonna my to start with adults. Or something close to an adult. I know the owners of a couple of shops were I live, and they would all take snakes. I also know a couple breeders who may take some. I’m not at all worried about not being able to get rid of them at all. I was just wondering I that sounded like a good pairing. I have a good idea of how breeding works, and know all about it. Again thanks for all of the info


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[redshepherd]

Thank you for all the fead back. I am most likely gonna my to start with adults. Or something close to an adult. I know the owners of a couple of shops were I live, and they would all take snakes. I also know a couple breeders who may take some. I’m not at all worried about not being able to get rid of them at all. I was just wondering I that sounded like a good pairing. I have a good idea of how breeding works, and know all about it. Again thanks for all of the info


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Are your parents suddenly allowing you to own a snake...?