So I have decieded not to breed. Food for thought.

[Bogertophis]

.... I just think my focus has shifted to an education aspect. I love taking a few species and showing them to people who would have never thought of being near them and having them walk away with new understanding and love the animals.....

Some years back I bred several kinds each year, & for several years thereafter...as a hobbyist only, no desire to be seriously commercial about it.
Rat snakes (Everglades & Amelanistic black rat snakes, Trans Pecos, Okeetee corns & Taiwan Beautys) kings (california kings, MBKs) & rosy boas.
The rosy boas I really didn't want to breed but had little choice- I took in an older one from a nature museum that had "other plans", very long story.

Anyway, I never bred more than a couple kinds per year...it's a lot of extra work raising snakes, no matter how much I loved doing it, & I would never
sell (or place) a snake that doesn't have a good feeding record, that I'm sure are easy for a new owner. Then comes the really hard part of parting with
them, worrying...knowing that no matter how careful you are, not everyone is as responsible an owner as they present themselves to be, or that things
'change'. I just like snakes (& all animals) too much I guess, they are all special to me, especially when I've seen them hatch or live born. So I really
don't miss breeding snakes...my snakes are my pets.

For many years I've done my best to educate others about snakes...all kinds of snakes & in many venues. As Skyrivers said, the feeling of seeing so
many people who've always feared or "hated" snakes, actually change their minds when they can safely meet some of mine...it's priceless. So for me,
that's my preferred way to contribute...not by breeding more, but making sure that the snakes we have in the wild, as well as the ones people choose
to keep as pets, are respected, valued & properly cared for. Doesn't matter what age, little children to grandparents have held my snakes & found out
they aren't scary or out to 'get' them, that instead they are just shy & beautiful creatures to appreciate.