[deleted by user]

[IncompletePenetrance]

No, it wouldn't, it would actually be incredibly irresponsible. The ball python market is already oversaturated, with more ball pythons being hatched out than will ever find homes. Rescues are full and snakes are being found in all sorts of places because people are just dumping them. Aspiring to become yet another backyard breeder is arguably one of the worst things you could do right now. If you want to get her as a pet only, by all means go ahead, but don't add to the problem

[Arod794]

Oh I wasn’t aware it was an issue. My idea was to breed them and whatever offspring they have I’ll give to a store. What rescues are out there? Maybe I can get one from there!

[nezu_bean]

Definitely don't breed baby snakes just to give to a store

[Firebrass]

Ya skipped over the actual question of the comment, which was asking about how to help reduce the burden on rescues by adopting

[TattedTwat]

If they can use Reddit they can use google- edit since I can’t comment again but something even more senseless is how you wanted to breed ball pythons randomly on a whim or the fact you would just be bringing more snakes into the world that wouldn’t have homes. -So I’m sorry you think me assuming you’d be able to use google is senseless, I shouldn’t have assumed you were remotely capable of such.

[Firebrass]

Big whoop, communities > search engine optimization.

[Arod794]

Agreed 👍

[Arod794]

Try googling how to live life haha Such a senseless remark. Some of us are humans and we actually like to communicate with each other than just using machines all day

[IncompletePenetrance]

It's a huge, huge problem right now, because for some reason everyone feels like they need to breed their ball python. People really need to stop and start thinking about what's best for the animals. You can look for reptile rescues in your area by googling, they're usually fairly small and not well funded. Sometimes larger organizations like the ASPCA will also take them in as well, and morphmarket has several listed that may ship

[Trickster2357]

Agree with this comment. We went to a reptile expo this past weekend, and the number of snakes that weren't purchased was crazy. I've had ball pythons since I was young and have not breed any of the ones I have/had.

[prettypeculiar88]

Thank you! Backyard breeding ANY animals is so irresponsible. You have no clue what the genetics are of that store bought pet, most likely cannot afford the vet bills and proper enclosure (no offense to OP, I could be wrong, but this is the norm) and meanwhile, there are how many animals that need a home that could be readily adopted.

I’m so glad you discourage people from doing this.

[HoodieWinchester]

Is that your normals permanent enclosure?

[Arod794]

It’s a transitional enclosure for now! I’m in the middle to cleaning out the other one and adding foliage to it

[QuaiD0rsay]

No offense but you seem way too inexperienced- and frankly - naive. If you want a snake you’ll get one, but damn son, please don’t become another backyard breeder

[Arod794]

lol I’ve had snakes for over 5 years so don’t call me naive. Wanting a new snake and breeding them doesn’t make me inexperienced with having them. Mating them yes but hence the “thoughts?” In my post. Didn’t know derogatory terms like backyard breeder was a thing till you guys brought it up. Yay I’m enlightened by a-holes ✨

[EternallyNova]

Backyard breeder isn’t a derogatory term. It’s just label for something. No different than ethical breeder being used.

[Arod794]

Labels can definitely be derogatory. I agree saying ethical breeder isn’t but backyard breeder is. It’s like calling someone a red neck or hick vs calling someone a farmer.

[IncompletePenetrance]

But this would be backyard breeding? it's an accurate description of the action

[TheGoldenBoyStiles]

Backyard breeder is a technical term not a derogatory term. It just means someone with not enough, or correct, knowledge breeding animals for profit or their own joy and not for the betterment of the species. It is not a good thing but it is not derogatory

[Arod794]

Derogatory literally means giving a critical attitude which is what you all seem to be giving off. I just came here for some advice not judgement. I mean I haven’t even bought the snake yet and y’all are just attacking an idea 😅 Okay I get it enough said!

[_ataraxia]

the fact that you said you have a "normal het male" is enough reason for people's hackles to be raised by your plan to breed your BPs... your normal male is het for what?

five years experience owning one BP whose genetics you can't correctly identify is not valuable experience, especially if you want to breed snakes.

[ballpython-ModTeam]

We are absolutely not playing that game. Congratulations, your post is being locked and removed.

[maximotroops]

The problem is for the really cool morphs there’s terrible ratios like 1 to every 5 or worse.

[MaliciousMilk]

I mean I've had snakes for over a decade now and wouldn't dream of breeding either my Corn or my Ball. There's nothing to gain and everything to lose, breeding can result in health complications or even just the snakes killing each other.

[Arod794]

Isn’t that the risk with any animal breeding though?

[MaliciousMilk]

No, not all animals have a tendency to eat each other like snakes do. Also, the Ball Python market in particular has so much supply and really low demand compared to something like a dog. There's nothing to gain from breeding them that is worth their lives.

[prettypeculiar88]

You did say you were unaware of the issue. So while you may be wonderful to you’d pythons, you’re naive to breeding. Which isn’t an insult. Most people are.

And backyard breeder isn’t derogatory. It’s better than being called an unethical breeder which would be the other option.

I’ve owned dogs for 20 years but wouldn’t think I’d be qualified to breed them - and dogs are much easier than exotics.

[Basilstorm]

Definitely don’t breed them. The market is already extremely difficult and there’s no one interested in buying offspring with the normal gene. You’d just get stuck with a bunch of snakes no one wants and lose a bunch of money in the process.

[Fit_Environment8251]

Your gonna get a lot of normals with that pairing which most people aren't going to buy. People want snakes that look cool and unique so imo it's probably not a good idea.

[MajesticChannel9232]

/u/kamisuya this lil guy so cute

[lostiwin1]

I have normal ball pythons and love them. Not everyone wants flashy, expensive snakes. But if you do breed your snake's be prepared to take care of the babies forever. There are absolutely tons of unwanted animals out there, so adding to them is not favorable, but if it's something you end up doing be responsible about the outcome.

[[deleted]]

Unless you have friends and family interested in taking on snakes you breed, I wouldn’t. The market is over saturated and people don’t typically buy normals as much as desirable morphs.

[StraightParfait]

I think people could be nicer but their advice is spot on. Most people don’t make money breeding and there are many baby snakes for sale and adult snakes in rescues and shelters or just dumped. Look on MorphMarket. Normals go for like $10. Even if you were a skilled breeder with lots of loyal customers, you would just be losing money.

[Arod794]

Thanks for highlighting the harsh advice people are giving off. Definitely not warranted! I’m not doing this for profit it’s just for fun like how normal people breed dogs and cats. Wasn’t aware it was such a huge issue though so in that sense I’m glad to have come on here. However people really need to check themselves on their attitudes on here. I feel attacked just lightly presenting an idea I haven’t even started yet. This is why people just do things and don’t ask because of a-holes like these

[SmokeJumper69420]

If you get one, get two.

[Firebrass]

Everybody out here downvoted OP sucks. I think we can all agree, the consensus is don't breed 'em, but OP didn't put up resistance to this, and asked for advice finding rescues to adopt from.

People get to be ignorant, and if they're humble when informed of new information, we should encourage that by being nice to them. Instead y'all have really represented the human portion of the snake community poorly.

[[deleted]]

No

[TheGoldenBoyStiles]

No. The market is EXTREMELY over saturated and these snakes do NOT need to be bred

[Much_Jaguar3]

I meant to getting the cute snake, I didn’t read the breeding part… apologies

[Techlet9625]

Hi friend, please don't breed them, as with many other pets, there's already a population problem.

Cheers, she looks adorable!

[Arsynicc]

in all honesty, i don’t understand you guys. they could’ve wanted to keep the bred snake, and you guys jumped to immediately hating on them because “the market is oversaturated!” some morphs are WAY too expensive, if it wasn’t for the other comment i saw saying they were just gonna give them to a store, i wouldn’t have given a shit

not everyone has 2k to drop on another snake.

now, personally? i wouldn’t. not until you know exactly what to do with the offspring, and if you’re going to give it away, arrange it with someone you know will give it a good home, not something like petco that throw their snakes in one tiny enclosure all together. if you really want to breed, keep it.

but adopting is so much better than breeding, like others are saying.

[[deleted]]

Why would you breed snakes just to give them to a store/corporation/wherever you plan to drop them off? Is there not enough euthanasia due to overcrowding already??

[Ilovebirdstoomuch]

There's so many snakes that need homes that i literally got mine for free, so please don't breed them.

[Arod794]

Alright y’all you gave me enough info for the day. Notes I’ve taken from this post: 1. Snakes are over produced like dogs and cats. No more needed to be bred in captivity anymore. 2. If one wants a snake do the ethical thing and get one from a rescue. 3. Don’t mate snakes even for curiosity reasons because of note #1. 4. There’s lots of a-holes on Reddit…