Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi, I have a project in mind that id really like to do. I've never bred boas before, this coming season, just about next year will by my first. I want to deal with sharpstrains not only because they are beautiful but because kahl are just everywhere. Theres just too many of those floating around in the pet trade.

I want to save up for a few months until another big reptile show comes through chicago, and blow all of my hard earned money on two adult sharpstrain females (i won't hold my breath). Assuming a breeder would want to let them go what would they be priced at? I say assuming because i never see adult female or even adult male sharps for sale, and am aware that an adult female sharpstrain is in most cases without question a hold back.(understandable). Seems like every sharp past a year old is a hold back. And i ask how much for the same reason, I've never seen any available, have no idea what these guys would be priced at at that age.

And i know i will probobly have to pay more then the worth to actually get one, but rather then buying a few salmons, and jungles ect. I want to produce something that hasnt yet been produced, i've had this project in mind ("day-dream" might be a better term) for a while now and will spend what i have to spend as long as i have it to spend(which at this point i dont). But If i were to get a baby sharp female today it still wouldnt be till 2010-2011 when i would produce what im aiming for. If i had a adult i could produce this morph by 2009 as long as all goes well.

Did I need to include all that? Probobly not.

So if you guys could let me know your guess of what i would have to pay for and adult sharp female, or even the very least you yourself would let one go for i would appreciate it very much.
Thanks

Why not just start with babies. Since you've never bred before you can gain a lot of experience before hand and learn how to "read" your animals which can be helpful when breeding time comes around.

Usually adults are only sold for a reason, typically something wrong, won't breed or worse. There are good adults for sale at times by breeders that rotate stock to newer morphs, but you will be looking at premium prices for these.

Considering a baby Sharp female is $2500, I'd expect prices OVER $5k for a mature female.

I agree, if you can find one she would be 5k and probably have something wrong with her, since that animal is able to produce 75k worth of babies a year if breeding well. Babies would def. be a better bet. CRaig

To answer your question, I just bought an 01 Sharp Female, and I have been looking/waiting for a LONG LONG time. I was lucky enough to get her from a reputable breeder who was downsizing. If you're looking to make quick $$,the sharps aren't for you, maybe you should try some nice normal pastels, they sell very well, and at the same time you'd get experience in breeding boas. Don't be surprised if you "rubbed" people the wrong way with your post.

Mike and T
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www.junglestruck.com

I am not looking into sharps because i think i am going make a qick buck. I am looking into sharp strains because they are my passion, i already own a few pastel het for albinos, and am planning to purchase salmons in the future, preferably from Rich Ihle, I enjoy simply owning my pastel boas, I've been into snakes all my life. Breeding them would be taking the next step in educated ownership, and hey if i can make a buck for doing something i enjoy, I'll do it.

It doesn't matter to me much what sells well, if it had turned out that i was into cheaper snakes like coloubrids, thats what i would be keeping/breeding.
And to be honest i dont care if my post rubs anyone or everyone the wrong way. I asked a question and was looking for an answer. Im glad some of you were willing to share your opinions, as far as anyone being "rubbed the wrongway" by my post(which i dont understand how they would) Dont waste your breath because i wont waste my time.

Thanks for the posts, a baby might not be that bad of an idea.
I would be willing to pay 5k and then some for an adult, but you guys make a good point about the possibility of the animal not being a good breeder/refusing to breed all together. And it probobly wont happen often that a reputable breeder gets rid of a healthy adult.
thanks again

Well, I will give you a first hand point of view.
I have a 2000 sharp albino female that has produced some sharp sunglows and the extras that come along with that.
I considered for a bit last fall selling her. Not because there was anything wrong with her, but because I had gotten what I wanted, a sharp sunglow male, and I have a small, and focused breeding program. I dont take on anything I cant feed or want to deal with.
So I suppose I was kinda testing the waters a bit to see what I could get for her, but when it came down to it, it would have been like getting rid of my dog, I raised her from a baby, and when some serious offers up to 10k were thrown my way, I was tempted but could not do it. Part of it was that I planned on breeding her to a jungle male if I kept her but it was mostly I had alot of time and care invested in her, and could not picture her anywhere else but here with us.
Im sure you can find an adult for less then what I was offered, and I wouldnt assume its because of health etc, sometimes people just need the money for something else.

I would also ad, I prefer myself to get anything im going to breed as a baby, so I know that snake inside out when it comes time to breed. Good luck.

Mike

Well i guess the smartest thing to do would be to get a baby. Its just the impatience i have, i dont feel i would have any problems breeding, I've read so many articles and am gonna get the boaphile videos soon, but i guess nothing beats experience.

I have a pastel het albino boa that is really pretty, and exotic looking, shes very thin saddled and has pink coraling all over her, shes a baby and i have no problem waiting to breed her when shes ready, also am not pushing her at all.

I've been wanting to get sharp for a while simply because i find them to be the most beautiful boas there are. And the top of the line sharp strain sunglows are absolutely second to none, IMO at least. then i found a another line of boas i'd like to see in combination with the sharp gene and just so badely want to produce this snake.

I'm sure there are some that need to pay a few bills and need to get rid an adult simply for that reason, but then again, i believe there are alot who want to get rid of them because they just wont breed. I've seen some huge male co-doms morphs in ads for the exact same price theyd be as a baby. Obviously theres something wrong.

But if most of the profesionals who are much more knowledgable then me feel babies are best, i will take their advice, otherwise why ask in the first place. And your sharp strain is gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Where did you get her? Do you deal with that strain alot and would you have and recommendations for breeders? And i wouldnt be prying if i asked if you could post a pic of the sharp sunglow would i?
Anyway thanks for the response, good luck to you, if you end up breeding that sharp to a jungle, hope it works out well for ya.
thanks for the response.

If you are looking for Sharp breeders I highly recommend Ron from Class Reptilia, he has some of the most beautiful classic Sharps. Tracy Barker from VPI, Doug Matusak from Boa Basement, Mike from Basically Boas all produce nice animals as well. There are a few others I know who have been building nice Sharp collections, but I'm not sure if they are breeding yet, so don't feel bad if I left you out of that list, lol.

One other thing I thought of reading your response. Healthy adults may be available, but they might be replacing them with better looking animals. I know myself as someone with a small focused breeding group I could see selling certain animals after they breed if their offspring look better. So you might have a better chance getting a better looking animal by buying a baby. Top Sharps sell around $3k and instead of paying extra for an adult you can get an exceptional baby.

Also, I saw you mentioned adult male co-dom morphs that were huge. Typically smaller males are the better breeders, so there is an excellent example. Those males probably weren't raised to be breeders.

I didnt know that, i thought that selecting males for breeding was more strictly based on being lean rather then heavy. I like these forums, you can learn alot quicker here then you could on the hundreds of care sheets out on the net, many of them so out dated.
Thanks for the info

Lean males are very important. A 4.5 foot lean male is perfect for breeding.

Thank you , Ruby is a very cool boa. I got her from Rich Ihle.
As Chris said in the other post, there are some good sources of Sharps out there, and more to come. Anyone on his list of breeders would be a good choice, shop around. I would also add, when you buy an adult, even if it has bred for that person you buy it from, doesnt mean it will breed for you. They become use to , cages, water, food, and people and climate.
It could be very frustrating to buy an adult expecting to get instant results, not to say it cant happen though.
One of the reasons i bred a jungle to my sharp this year was to get more color in the albinos and make stronger genes.
We shall see what happens.
heres a pic of my sharp sunglow male i took yesterday while cleaning cages.
He may not be the best looking sharp sunglow out there, but he is beutiful in my eyes and im sure will make some killer babies one day.

Thanks
Mike
I might add, I am no photographer and as soon as I can im gonna get Bill Love over here to do a professional photo shoot. My pics kinda wash out the real life colors.

Danka

Mike, I've just about given up on taking pictures of my girl, I suck at it. She shed last week and between her saddles on both sides there is a band of pink on the top. Her sides have random pink and orange areas coming in from the belly up. Very cool look.

I just love the variety in Sharps and how they are ALL awesome. I'm not much of a fan for Sunglows, thought I do want one. I do want a bunch of Sharps though. I think Sharps and Leopards are two morphs you can have a ton of and have no two look alike!

.........most have seen them, but I never get tired of admiring them! LOL

06' Sharp Sunglow

A few different 06' Sharp Albinos.

Here is one I sold, that I now regret! The new owners are loving him though!

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kicked it up a notch!
Those boas rule!
I love the pattern on that sunglow.

Good stuff

Mike

All those pictures are great. The sharp sunglow is sweet, and those sharp/ guyana crosses really stand out. And thanks for all the info, very helpful, I think its great that i can simply log onto my computer and get valubale info and of course great pics(to which i envy very, very, very much) from some of the best keepers/breeders such as yourselves. Get use to me being here for a while because i still got a whole lot of questions about a whole lot of stuff from now till september, and dont be afraid to let me know when i'm getting under your skin.

Your all so helpful, i own a few monitors and have been to the monitor forum, asking a simple question over there will get you a ten paragraph lecture that very rarly includes the answer to the question you asked hahaha!!!

This forum seems very welcoming.
Again thanks, and good luck with your buisness.

...with the Internet being what it is today, do not be afraid to use that 'Search' function this forum and many other forums offer. I think what frustrates many people / contributors to these types of forums is the lack of effort people will put forth to find the answers to their questions they have. Very rarely does a question get asked that has never been asked here before! LOL

Have fun!
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BASICALLYBOAS.com
'Specializing in True RedTails & Designer Boa Morphs'

ParadigmBoa.com
The most exciting thing to happen to Boa Constrictor Morphs!
Email Us!

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I sure wish I had gotten my Sharp from one of those litters last year!
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Chris & Alliey
www.bloodyleopard.com
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