Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have loved snakes since i was a kid running around in the woods of mississippi. I have owned a rat snake for awhile and recently bought a 6 mo old 100%het albino ball female.I would love to own more of these beautiful creatures,eventually in a few years i would like to breed her,and others i can collect along the way. I am a disabled vet,so i dont have to much extra money lying around. I got my wife on board by telling her that they would eventually pay for themselves and could even be profitable. Now should i get a visual albino male next or would a het male be fine. My goal is to eventually own a pied and bumblebee. I would appreciate any info.
Thank you
Floyd

Advice from a wantabe breeder......If money is an issue (which it is for me) Go with hets. It will lengthen the process but will also add a sence of pride to your collection. Co-Doms are affordable now too. You can pick up a spider boy for $400 or so. Breed him to a couple of normal girls and produce 50% spiders in each clutch. Pastels are even more affordable, males $150 or so, females $250 - $300. Spider X Pastel will give you your Bumblebee. With the recessive genes, Albinos, Pieds, Axanthics, ect hets will probally be the best route. Personally I have a pair of het Albinos and Pieds that I will breed next year. Have Pastels and Spider going now. It can be affordable if you don't jump in over your head. Most breeders will set up payment plans, I make monthly payment on balls all the time. I have been collecting for 1 1/2 years now and have 35 ball pythons now.
Hope this helps some.
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Thanks for the advice,thats what im thinking,using hets. i can tell from your website you are in NC, i am right below you in Beaufort,SC, I saw you pics from the columbia show.I tried my best to go but was'nt able to,oh well,I think there is one in Feb in GA im going to try and make.

Small shows like that are good places to pick up co-doms at a reasonable prices I got several breedable girls from Columbia, and a very nice Pastel boy that will be ready next year. I really went to Columbis looking for normal girls. Examine your purchases very good and ask a lot of questions when buying from a show. It also helps to kinda know the dealer is replicable. Serious ball pythons breeders will not set up at a show and sell snakes that are not well established. Good luck with your projects and let me know if I can help anyway. Probally the next show I will attend will be Raliegh, NC in May. Thats a pretty good show. The May show is not quiet as good as the September show but I still make the trip each year. Trying to make plans for Daytona too. That is the penicle in reptile shows!! All the BIG breeders are there!! Can see some really good stuff.
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