Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Well, I am about to get a paior of 100% het. albino ball pythons and they will be my first breeding project. I plan on slowly expanding my collection of BP's to about 20 or so and I just need a few tips.

1. Caging, I plan on building a rack system, and what size containers should I use for adults.

2.Cycling, what is the most efficient way to heat and cool the snakes for the seasons.

3.Feeding, should I feed them more often or is a normal once or twice a week enough.

4.Breeding, anything and everything you know, I want to knkow. Ive been reading about breeding for the past few months, and any extra advice would be greatly appreciated.

5.Substrate, I presume newspaper would be the most cost efficient, but do yall find that the snakes perfer a certain type of bedding over another?

6.Humidity, what is the best way to keep up hunmidity in racks?

That is all I can think of for now, but any info would be great, and I if I can think of anything else, Ill be sure to ask.

I'm just starting out also so I don't have alot in the way of experience to pass along, but what I will tell you is that if you can, take a look at Dr. Mark Seward's Ball Python Breeding DVD. It has been an invaluable piece of information that I refer back to regularly. Good Luck.

If you run down this forum and check out threads here you will find information and opinions on every subject you are looking for information on as well as many others. It is a good resource.

1 on sewards dvd great info. im no pro but what i do works for me. i built own rack using plastic shelving from walmart and heat with 11" flexwatt and use apple whatever-cant remember brand proportional thermostat. underbed size tubs the shallo long ones==great for adults. i use aspen bedding ceramic water dish-no misting all shed fine every time--i do have holes from soldr iron along edges for ventalation. i built my rack so covers could stay on tubs as i like that aspect. used hovabater for first clutch and hatched out all 11 eggs perfectly--lots incubaters you can build self though. the main thing is just watch your animals--they dont shed well mist, they dont eat well maybe temps too low. they will tell you what they need just be observant. i sort of crashed into my breeding no cycling just put together and they bred then i did all the research and scrambling. i have about 25 ball pythons now-only one breeder size female=rest not ready for year or so-few morphs=het albino female, pastel, spider and bunch of debt but i love em. maybe when im old and retire(only26)ill have a huge collection lots morphs an breedings and something to do when retire as of now im losing but thats what its all about--dont count on money and dont undersell your competitors it only will drop prices and hurt yourself in end. hope helps can give pics more info on my cheap racks if you like--i think at time i figured was either under 10 or 20 for each level so to speak (the tub the shelving portion and flexwatt/ thermostat)
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GOOSEBALLS

lamina1982@hotmail.com

Also, a great guide is "The Complete Ball Python" by Kevin from NERD.

My best piece of advice for you is to buy your racks We made all of our own...we tried melamine, plywood, hollow doors, you name it we tried it...and most of those racks have since been used for firewood. After a year or two they just didn't hold up well, and most were also very heavy and hard to heat properly! We now use and recommend Animal Plastics Racks (Economy Line). You can get a 6/12 slot rack for $180 with heat!

Good luck!
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Thanks,
Amy
My Boids

>>Well, I am about to get a paior of 100% het. albino ball pythons and they will be my first breeding project. I plan on slowly expanding my collection of BP's to about 20 or so and I just need a few tips.
>>
>>1. Caging, I plan on building a rack system, and what size containers should I use for adults.
>>
>>2.Cycling, what is the most efficient way to heat and cool the snakes for the seasons.
>>
>>3.Feeding, should I feed them more often or is a normal once or twice a week enough.
>>
>>4.Breeding, anything and everything you know, I want to knkow. Ive been reading about breeding for the past few months, and any extra advice would be greatly appreciated.
>>
>>5.Substrate, I presume newspaper would be the most cost efficient, but do yall find that the snakes perfer a certain type of bedding over another?
>>
>>6.Humidity, what is the best way to keep up hunmidity in racks?
>>
>>That is all I can think of for now, but any info would be great, and I if I can think of anything else, Ill be sure to ask.

Looking at your questions, I get the impression that you don't own any ball pythons currently. Why are you getting into breeding? It's not really that profitable anymore and if you don't have any now, I can't see that it would be for the enjoyment of it. I just think it would be better to keep a couple and see if you like them before you dive into a breeding project - especially if you don't know the answers to the questions you posted yet. Sometimes it's not really a matter of having a definite answer - what works for some may not work for others. Learning from experience and knowing what works with your particular snakes can be much more valuable.

Maybe it's just me who feels this way... ?

I have kept ball pythons before, and I have one now, I have not just havent bred them yet ansd would like to get info from people that have bred them before. I know the basics of care, but would like to know what works for yall to get better breeding seasons. Im not in it for the money, but in it because I love snakes. I have bred burmese and red tail boas before, and I did just what I am doing now, it never hurts to get more info., and learn more about something that you are new too.

Well, I wish you luck and as long as you are enjoying it, it will be worth it!