Is it still to soon to say I wanna breed Ball Pythons?

[Axel28]

Hello everyone, Axel28 here...

I am just wanting to ask is it to soon to say: "I wanna breed Ball Pythons."?
I do want to, but I also have other Jobs I wanna do... But to me animals are basically life. Haha Though Ball Pythons are my favorite...
But anyways, I know it'll take time and I still don't have my own house, so. It's gonna take plenty of time to really think about, even though I've been thinking about it, ever since I've got Axel.
Though that was too soon to even be thinking about it, I really still had alot (and still have alot, but I have been researching alot, watching YouTube videos and looking it up on Google...

I've also had other jobs on my mind, but I don't really know if i'd be able to actually make it... I wanted to join the military, either the Army or Air Force... or be a Vet.
But I don't know...
I just really was into the whole breeding idea, owning snakes, and all!

But I guess I'll just leave this here and see the advice y'all give me and all.

I really Appreciate y'all answering my questions when I first joined up and I'm of course going to need ALOT more help, if I choose the job I wanna do. Haha
Like I said I am of course going to do ALOT more research, since I have the time!!

Thanks again!!

[Godzilla78]

I still don't have my own house

I wanted to join the military, either the Army or Air Force... or be a Vet.
But I don't know...
I just really was into the whole breeding idea, owning snakes, and all!

Like I said I am of course going to do ALOT more research, since I have the time!!

You are not ready. You need to grow up and taste more of life. Become an mature adult, start as hobby when you get a career and get your own house. Breeding isn't something a young person does, as a career before they've even figured out how to pay the bills.

There is nothing wrong with having a passion. I have a passion like you. I am 40 years old, with a career and self-sufficient income. I am starting a breeding project VERY slowly, learning and caring for the animals first. I am also well experienced with business and marketing, and I have a longterm business plan set in place, and strategic breeding and marketing plans... and yet, haven't even begun to breed! You have to start as a hobby, maybe make a few thousand a year. To make it a full-time job, you would have to a TON of experience and a large number if high-end breeding age snakes.

Take it slow young snaker!

[Axel28]

You are not ready. You need to grow up and taste more of life. Become an mature adult, start as hobby when you get a career and get your own house. Breeding isn't something a young person does, as a career before they've even figured out how to pay the bills.

There is nothing wrong with having a passion. I have a passion like you. I am 40 years old, with a career and self-sufficient income. I am starting a breeding project VERY slowly, learning and caring for the animals first. I am also well experienced with business and marketing, and I have a longterm business plan set in place, and strategic breeding and marketing plans... and yet, haven't even begun to breed! You have to start as a hobby, maybe make a few thousand a year. To make it a full-time job, you would have to a TON of experience and a large number if high-end breeding age snakes.

Take it slow young snaker!

Thank you for the advice!

I wanna know if I wanted to get another Ball Python (Only as pet) that'd be okay though? Haha I mean I doubt my dad would allow it though, so yes I need to wait on even thinking of another Ball Python till I get a house of my own and stuff. haha

Anyways thanks again!

[Craiga 01453]

Hey lil' buddy. Glad to see you around again, but....

Yes, still too soon my friend.
Until you are financially secure, have your own house and are certain you can handle everything that comes along with breeding it's best to wait. Honestly, I don't think anybody should even consider breeding until they're at least in their mid 20s, but even that's young.

[artgecko]

I'd echo what others have said. But I'd also like to add, that should you join the military, I believe they are not allowed "pets" while on post and I seem to remember someone in the military (after training) that couldn't own his snakes on base...people could have a dog when housed on base (not in the barracks) but not reptiles. Moving frequently with the military would also make maintaining even a single pet BP possibly hard too, so it is something to seriously consider if you know you want to own animals and have them as a large part in your life.

I've read accounts of many people who joined, had to get rid of their animals, then after leaving service, were finally able to keep them again and were "getting back into" the hobby.

it may also be good to know that most people don't make a living off of selling snakes. Most hobbyist breeders do this on the side, in addition to a full-time job. If you are smart in your spending and breeding plans, you might be able to have the hobby pay for itself, maybe even make a small amount of money after covering costs. There are very few people that have "made it" as professional breeders... You look at the big names in the hobby that have facilities, staff, etc. but even they have to work really hard and at times, get very lucky, to make it work.


I'd just focus on nailing down what career path you're on, checking to make sure that your chosen profession will lead to enough income for a house, and all the expenses associated with living and with purchasing / caring for the animals you intend to breed. Looking at costs for racks, incubators, food, etc. and have a financial plan is a good first step, as is having a budget for yourself that will allow you to save money to eventually put into buying a house and purchasing stuff for your hobby.

While you're waiting..going to school or working and saving, use that time to research as much as possible. Look into the morphs that are out there and what prices they are going for. Choose which morphs really appeal to you and make up a breeding plan to eventually follow. Prices and popularity change quickly in this hobby, so be prepared to alter your plans as needed.

I have a full time job, own a house, and have been keeping for about 6 years now and I'm just starting my first breeding project... and I won't be breeding for another 2+ years while my breeders mature and I buy the needed housing and incubator. My personal end goal is that breeding will help cover the expenses of my other animals and hobby. It will also be fun, which is why I will be doing it, so any $$ I make will be a bonus in the end. I am starting small, one trio of animals, and will go from there based on how I like the process.

[Masonic]

When I was 18-19 (24 now) I owned 19 BP's after having 1 as a pet for several years, everything was great. I wanted to be a very respected breeder in the hobby. I bought all of them as hatchlings I figured in 2 years everyone would be big, fat, and ready. Well fast forward a year or so later life happened got a brand new Jeep, moved out of the parents house, bought a house, and had more bills than I thought was possible. It's hard to do it all off one paycheck working 54 hours a week. Now fast forward to now I'm finally back in the hobby going to start playing around with the Genetic Stripe gene.

To sum this up, experience life do some things you want to do, have fun. Don't rush into the whole breeding thing the snakes aren't cheap and the racks aren't either.

[Skyrivers]

I'd echo what others have said. But I'd also like to add, that should you join the military, I believe they are not allowed "pets" while on post and I seem to remember someone in the military (after training) that couldn't own his snakes on base...people could have a dog when housed on base (not in the barracks) but not reptiles. Moving frequently with the military would also make maintaining even a single pet BP possibly hard too, so it is something to seriously consider if you know you want to own animals and have them as a large part in your life.

I've read accounts of many people who joined, had to get rid of their animals, then after leaving service, were finally able to keep them again and were "getting back into" the hobby.

it may also be good to know that most people don't make a living off of selling snakes. Most hobbyist breeders do this on the side, in addition to a full-time job. If you are smart in your spending and breeding plans, you might be able to have the hobby pay for itself, maybe even make a small amount of money after covering costs. There are very few people that have "made it" as professional breeders... You look at the big names in the hobby that have facilities, staff, etc. but even they have to work really hard and at times, get very lucky, to make it work.


I'd just focus on nailing down what career path you're on, checking to make sure that your chosen profession will lead to enough income for a house, and all the expenses associated with living and with purchasing / caring for the animals you intend to breed. Looking at costs for racks, incubators, food, etc. and have a financial plan is a good first step, as is having a budget for yourself that will allow you to save money to eventually put into buying a house and purchasing stuff for your hobby.

While you're waiting..going to school or working and saving, use that time to research as much as possible. Look into the morphs that are out there and what prices they are going for. Choose which morphs really appeal to you and make up a breeding plan to eventually follow. Prices and popularity change quickly in this hobby, so be prepared to alter your plans as needed.

I have a full time job, own a house, and have been keeping for about 6 years now and I'm just starting my first breeding project... and I won't be breeding for another 2+ years while my breeders mature and I buy the needed housing and incubator. My personal end goal is that breeding will help cover the expenses of my other animals and hobby. It will also be fun, which is why I will be doing it, so any $$ I make will be a bonus in the end. I am starting small, one trio of animals, and will go from there based on how I like the process.

I was in the military a few years ago and had a dog and 2 corn snakes.

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[EDR]

Based on what I read yes I would say its to soon or not in your best interest. I've been building my breeding team for 3 years now and I'm realizing its a lot more then you might think. But yes keep doing research. You'll get to enjoy your teen years (I assume your in your teens) and the research will help make sure everything goes well when to do try to breed or what ever you may have planed. Its a win, win. Also Godzilla gave good advice but if your doing one or two hobby pairings I don't think you need to own your own house with all do respect. As long as your parents are ok with it and you got the money I think you'll be alright. And like others have said any thing can happen like moving out or losing your job or something but that applies to every one though not just you. Last year I was gonna try to pair something but it kinda got side lined by family issues. So now i'm hoping to finally pair something this year. In conclusion just enjoy axel do your research and take small steps. Maybe get axel a girl friend.

Also if you join the military just hold off on breeding and getting more all to getter.

[ElliotNess]

Its good you are soliciting opinions which means you are thinking things through. Breeding isn't a business in my eyes. Pet Stores are businesses and breeding should be a passion or at minimum a hobby because once you add in money and all the other aspects that are REQUIRED of a business than it loses the fun and excitement. Look at BHB. Compare that to NERD who doesn't sling stuff like BHB and you can still see the passion in Kevin where Brian is running a business first.

I will always be a hobbyist because I have a job, 2 technically and they pay my bills. This feeds my passion. So think things through, write it out and see what makes you happy about it and head in that direction.

[tttaylorrr]

i've only been in the hobby for 3.5 years and i've recently decided i want to try my hand at breeding. at MINIMUM i'm maybe a year and a half away before i can even think about putting two snakes together, and this isn't even taking the research part of this into consideration; this is just when i think my snakes will be mature enough. realistically i'm probably 5 years out. TBH i think i've jumped the gun by saying i want to breed, but i'm in no way rushing to acquire animals or pushing the animals i have to grow faster. i will breed when i'm confident in my knowledge and i have the resources to do it right; whether that takes 1 year or 10 years. i know my husbandry and my animals like the back of my hand, and to me, breeding is that next level in snake ownership and husbandry.

you've gotten great advice about being young and the future already, so i'll just say this: if your passion is strong enough, then the wait until you're ready to do it right won't bother you too much.