Reptile & Amphibian Forums

After years of drooling and eye gazing over all the different Ball Python morphs out there, I've decided to get my feet wet and start up a Ball Python collection and breeding project.
I've had them in the past and know the husbandry part, but what I need help with is finding good reputable breeders to start a repore with. Right now I have one, who happens to be one of my Leopard Gecko sorces and has been very helpful . Any recomendations, suggestons, or testomonials for good quality animals would be greatly appreciated.
My intent is to slowly build up a collection of impresive quality animals and try some breeding in a couple of years.
I'm interested in Spiders, Mojaves, Yellow-Bellies, and maybe more Pastels for Co-Dom traits. Albinos, Piebalds, and Axanthics for Recessive traits.
Currently my Ball collection/project consist of 1. Pastel and .4 normals all 05s
Thank You

Hi,
I have recently dealt with Kenny from Spud's Ball Pythons, and he seems to be a real stand-up guy. I would look for him in the classifieds as one option, and see what you think. Good luck with your projects!

Brandon

Thank You Brandon, I will bo on the look out for him.
Chris

Go to a show! That is the best advice I can give you. Meet and greet people, and find someone you like, who does not brush you off, and go for it! As far as big breeders...here is my advice...if you are going to be buying Hets, and want that warm and fuzzy feeling, I would say start out buying some Hets from the bigger breeders. If you are looking for Albinos, Pastels, Axanthics, or any visual morph, then check out the hobbyists. Do not buy "lines", but what you like. If you see a VPI or unknown Pastel line animal that is amazing, buy it, do not get caught up in buying an animal just because it is from a certain line. Probably one out of four that say a certain line, are not. Not just a breeder who is trying to decieve you, but they might have be decieved themeselves, it might be a cross, ie Graziani x Bell, then what is it....

Go to a show!

Thank you for tha advice.I do go to as many shows as I can. As a spectator, buyer, and vendor. But unfortunatly in my area of Western Washington state there isn't to many shows a year. Well, just one. I get alot of stuff out of state. I go south to Oregon for shows, so far three this year.I picked up my Pastel at one of them, from a broker that the friend I went with knows very well. I'd love to someday go to Daytona, Sacramento, or any of the bigger shows.
Another problem I've run into is the lack of Ball breeders in the area or at these shows. So my access to what I want and options is very limited. Most of that is Hets and Poss Het which I don't want. I made that mistake with Redtails.
Thanks for the advise on the "Lines". I do see that all over. For the most part I plan on purchasing animals that I find impressive. I was told a liniage when I bought the Pastel, but thats not what sold me on him. One question though, are the lines compatible when it comes to breeding?
Also, nice pics. I assume there your critters. I'm impressed. Please post more if you have them. I'd post one of my guy but he just went into blue. I probably will after he sheds
Thanks again,
Chris

All lines of pastel's are compatable. Well all but the enchi's but they are a little different than the normal pastel's and cross a little differently than normal lines of pastel's. I also see you stated a shortage of ball breeders in the north west, congrats, build a nice collection and you have the market cornered up there, lol.

As far as reputable breeders to buy from there are several that we've dealt with. A large chunk of our collection has come from Gulf Coast Reptiles but we also have animals from Ralph Davis, Ben Siegel, Alan Bosch, VPI, BallRoom Pythons South and NERD. If you can find a breeder close to you it's much easier to pick out quality animals which is why GCR has gotten most of my business as they live only 30 mins away and have some of the best animals I've seen not to mention extremely nice people to do business with. Here's some eye candy for you to enjoy.

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Josh & Krysty Hutto
J&K Reptiles

Various Ball Pythons:::

1.0 striped vanilla
1.2 Citrus Ghost and hets
1.2 Albino and hets
2.3 het Pied
1.1 Pastel (male has additional gene going on with him)
a bunch of female holdbacks and several rescue normal males

0.1 columbian boa, she's a feeding monster, controls my
over production of rats, lol
0.1 brazilian rainbow boa, another rat eating monster
1.1 corns

a BAD dog is MADE not bred, support the American Pit Bull Terrier as the greatest breed of dogs on Earth!!!!!

Josh, thanks for the info and pics.

Chris

p.s. I agree with you about pitbull terriers

garrick at crestedgecko.com has very nice animals and the prices are pretty good too... i been dealing with him for 4 years easy and i would be glad to recommend him to anyone
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession

some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

I agree, Garrick is a great guy. I've used him for alot of my Leopard Geckos and have some things coming from him in a week or two. He's been extremly helpful. I think a good portion of my animals will be coming from him, but I do want to try and get some unrelated stock. I to would recomend Garrick to anyone
Chris

garrick has helped me select TONS of leopard geckos over the years and has always been extremely helpful. Im glad to see you had a postive experience with him as well. I wish i had the numbers i had at one time but things happen... im re-structuring alot of things in my colony so its getting better around here. Productions starting...finally getting eggs...this fall should be a modest start for balls and crested geckos. Pretty excited around here
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we're here because a hobby became an obsession

some days you're the dog, some days you're the hydrant...don't know who started this saying but it's the truth

Also, thanks for the reply.
Chris