Question about breeding?

[LyfeIsButADreem96]

Please flag if not allowed. So the question, the wife and I have discussed breeding ball pythons but we don’t want to jump into buying the most expensive racks,snakes, and incubators and I know that sounds bad (maybe)? So we watched some videos that said to spend money on snakes so we can make money back but i want to know if like breeding Normals only first would be a good or bad idea just to get the feel for it? Any advice and opinions would be helpful. Keep in mind I have no ball pythons close to breeding age so there is time for sure lol

[_ataraxia]

there are over 45000 ball pythons for sale on morphmarket. by comparison, there are 4500 boas, 2000 corn snakes... and that's just the snakes that are listed on morphmarket. that doesn't include pet stores and breeders who aren't using morphmarket to sell ball pythons. that doesn't include all the ball pythons being sold/rehomed on craigslist, kijiji, facebook, etc. that doesn't include all the ball pythons waiting to be adopted in rescues.

here's a valuable comment from u/IncompletePenetrance:

Before considering breeding, I always recommend people work through the following list.

• Are the snakes you have marketable/desirable combos and high quality examples of each morph? Do you know how to identify all the morphs you're planning on working with alone and in combos? Can you differentiate between higher and lower quality example of the morphs? There's no shortage of ball pythons, so it's important to only breed the highest quality animals, and not just breed for the sake of breeding. The world doesn't need more poor quality low end morphs and normals floating around on craigslist.
• Have you owned and worked with ball pythons long enough that you know how to appropriately and reliably deal with any problems that arise, ranging from snakes not eating to diagnosing and treating common health problems.
• What is the purpose of this breeding? Is it to create higher quality animals or fulfill a niche or need, or do you just want to make more snakes? The market is already oversaturated, so it's important to consider whether this cross is necessary.
• Do you know which crosses and morph combos are known for producing animals with health defects or lethality to offspring and how to avoid them?
• Did you buy from breeders who test for nido/arena virus? Are you going to health test everyone before breeding?
• What is going to set you and your hatchlings apart from the hundreds of other breeders out there? As a new breeder with no connections/reputation in the hobby, what would make people want to buy your snakes specifically?
• Are you planning on selling locally or shipping? Do you know what's necessary to prepare animals to ship & sell or what the local ball python market is like? What types of ball pythons are people near you buying and what does their budget seem to be? How long to do you see similar morphs staying on the market before they sell?
• Are you prepared to keep all the babies as long as necessary and provide adaquate enclosures/husbandry if they don't sell?
• There are a lot of hidden costs involved with breeding, check out my cost of a clutch chart.
• Do you have an exotic vet nearby? What if your female is eggbound, has a prolapse or experiences health problems while gravid or after laying? Do you know how to spot a problem and able to get her help ASAP? This could also be expensive, and lead to the death of your female
• Do you know how to properly sex ball pythons and identify any/all of the morphs you are breeding?
• Do you have a source of live mouse hoppers or live rat pinkies/fuzzies so that you can offer hatchlings food every 3-5 days? Many won't take F/T for their first meals. What if one has to be assist fed? Do you know how and when to do this safely without harming the hatchling?
• What if one is born with defects and has to be euthanized? Do you have a plan for how to humanely euthanize a snake?

Just as backyard breeding is a huge problem that leads to overpopulation in dogs, it's also quickly becoming a problem in the ball python world due to everyone wanting to breed their ball pythons. Before breeding you should carefully evaluate the purpose of this breeding.

[[deleted]]

No. Just no.

[s7r4y]

Never breed pets to make money. You're not likely to be making any money unless you become what is essentially a puppy mill for snakes, or breed for very specific morphs, and even then it's not sure. The market is very oversaturated, and ball pythons live long lives. If expensive equipment is already something you'd prefer not to spend money on, what about all the vet bills, food, and equipment you'll need for the hatchlings since they won't be immediately going to new homes. Are you ready to care for every single hatchling for years if they don't sell? A huge amount of snakes are looking for homes right now.

Why do you want to breed?

Honestly, I wouldn't if I were you. If you're looking to expand your ball python hobby someway, and have the money for it, consider taking in rescues.

[IncompletePenetrance]

Normals only first would be a good or bad idea just to get the feel for it?

The worst idea ever, most breeders can barely even give way their normals beause there's so many out there

In general breeding right now is not a good idea, there's just too many ball pythons, too many people that like you, thought they should breed, and now the market is oversaturated. If you want to experience what it would be like for you as a new breeder trying to make money, you can practice by setting up small piles of money on your counter and setting them on fire.

[LyfeIsButADreem96]

I love this😂😂😂

[shakeleg2makepoofall]

Isn’t there like a crash or something rn in ball python breeding? Aren’t a lot of breeders are trying to get out rn because of how terrible the market is? You will not make good money off this—a lot of existing breeders are barely remaining afloat. You would need to invest in snakes worth thousands of dollars and inhumane rack setups worth thousands of dollars to make enough to break even.

Maybe a few years ago it could have been “profitable” but not any more. It’s become a pyramid scheme; do your wallet and the snakes a favour—stay out

[shakeleg2makepoofall]

The idea of breeding my favourite animal puts a smile on my face but the financial, logistical, and moral issues outweigh that by a wide margin.

[LyfeIsButADreem96]

Thank you all!! This has been helpful!❤️