Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey all,

Recently I stated my desire to pick up an extreme/super or tangerine honduran. Not exactly sure which right now. I've never bred any of my snakes before and was wondering where you all think the honduran milksnake trade is going. I.e. if I was going to buy 2 snakes at the upcoming reptile show, raise them from hatchling and breed them, what would you suggest? Keep in mind that I'm on a bit of a budget so each snake should be under $100.

I really don't want to be stuck with a bunch of hatchlings I can't sell.

What do you all think? What type, het or possibly het for what, would be a good investment and starting point for cheap?

Thanks!
-ABlueflame

I say.. Get what you think is nice regardless of cost.. And, don't worry too much about selling them.. they will sell!!

I think you should consider trying to score a pair of proven breeders, even if they're the plainest Corns, Kings or Milks. You will be able to start right away next year and possibly even make the cash after you sell the babies to buy something you want now but can not afford. Not too mention you'll get a little experience much sooner with the whole process. Wondering if your first clutch is set up properly during incubation will drive any person out of thier mind in many cases, but once you succesfully hatch out babies you will know you're on the right track
Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

This is really a tough decision for me. Previously, and maybe even still, I look at having snakes as pets and not as a business. There's also the pleasure of raising hatchlings and seeing them grow.

Proven breeders will initially be more expensive than more desireably hatchlings, but they'll also return a profit sooner.

Simply for breeding experience I agree with you 100% but there's more involved in this decision than that.

Perhaps instead of hatchlings, I could look for juveniles so as to wait less time for them to mature and at the same time be able to raise them myself a little bit. The only issue I have with that is, last time I bought a juvenile (a ball python) it was the worst behaved snake I've ever had. When I first handled it at a reptile show, it was the typical ball. Curled up in a ball, very docile, tame. When I got it home and put it in a cage, then went to take it out again, it struck repeatedly and took weeks to calm down. I never fully trusted that snake.

I'll keep in mind all the recomendations I get here, but I may just go on instinct. 1 or 2, hatchling vs. juvenile vs. proven breeder.

That being said, please keep giving advice and recommendations.

-ABlueflame

I'd say buy hatchlings and raise them up. You will enjoy raising them and then producing babies in a couple years Go with some double het hybino or double het snow hondurans!