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I want to start ball python breeding to get a little money. I'm 14 years old and I'd like to begin a breeding experiment this year. Can someone tell me some simple things to do to start breeding. I'm going to purchase 2 yellow bellies and attempt getting an Ivory ball. I understand genetics and everything and I own 1 normal ball right now.

What do I need to do to breed ball pythons? I've got my eyes on a yellow belly male for sale, but how large do they need to be to breed?

How much would a breeding sized female yellow belly cost? And what size should it be to breed. I'm really wanting to try my hand at ball python breeding and I think this would be a good starting morph.

Are there any others that would produce good priced morphs from cheaper balls like the yellow bellies? My goal is to get a pair that would be under 500 dollars.

So my limit is about 500 dollars but I'd go 600 as well. So are yellow bellies good? Would a female and male breeding sized yellow belly pair be under or around 500? Thanks in advance!

"I want to start ball python breeding to get a little money."

If that is the only reason you want snakes, you should wait until you are old enough and just get a job. It is true you can make money in this hobby, but it isn't real easy and you have to enjoy it and spend a lot of time. If you don't enjoy it, you won't give the hobby the attention it takes to be successful.

No no don't get me wrong, I have loved snakes since I was about 6. I figure if I can make money doing something I love, well why not? It is by far not the only reason I want to breed them. I guess I should have made that more clear. I'm entirely committed to this.

I think what Mike is trying to say, with ball pythons it really takes a lot of capital investment (money) to start this even as a hobby, let alone a business.

I think it's good to start small as a hobbyist and try to see how much you can decrease your expenses for a small collection. Getting another job will only help you establish ball pythons more in your future. Every large snake breeder had day jobs and started this same way. Whether it was a contractor, police officer, musician, or a baseball player.... You're gonna need a form of income to invest in bps.

To be honest, every question you asked,, just need to look where the answers are and the internet is your friend. Good luck.

I get 80 dollars a month from my parents as an allowance and I get atleast 1500 dollars in gifts throughout the year so I've got a pretty good source of income, and my dad is kind of helping me start he makes a six figure salary so money truly isn't a huge issue.

I really just want to know what are the best morphs to get started with that would still develop good sellable morphs.

Since no one has answered you.

No. You won't find a pair of breeding sized Yellowbellies for $500.

You MIGHT be able to get a female breeding size Yellowbelly for $500-600, and a male will probably run around $150.

If you wanted babies and grew them yourself, then sure. $500 could get you a pair.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus

Man, I gotta commend you for being honest about how you're approaching this ball python thing. There's always a lot of heat over what people are in it for. "Oh man, this guy's only in it for the money, what a dirt bag!" or "I'm not in it for the money, just the animals. Sure, I've got bananas, pumas, and toffees, but it's all about the animals." C'mon, gimme a break! It's about both and there's nothing wrong with that! I'm not ashamed to say that I make money keeping and breeding the animals that I love, and if it weren't for that ability to make this sort of income doing this, we wouldn't have the "hobby" that we have today! Cage manufacturers, rodent producers, handling equipment. It all ties to the money in this and there's nothing wrong with that!

Now, about your 500 to 600 dollar question(s). You're going to have a rough time finding morph females for a low price, especially if they're good producers! Think about it and consider how much space and time a morph female really takes.... Very rarely does someone sell an awesome, big morph female that makes lots of babies and doesn't have problems. It does happen, but it's not the norm. You're best bet is to look for morph females that have some size on them but aren't quite breeding size yet. Ball pythons supply is large right now, so it's not uncommon to see 500 to 700 gram morph females that just haven't sold yet. They'll be a bit more than babies (feeding costs money!), but they'll be considerably cheaper than adults and you'll have a better shot at not buying someone else's "problem" snake.

As far as morphs are concerned: this is all about preference, really. The Ball Python market is so big that there are people who will buy just about anything. There's a flavor for everyone! Certain morphs in that price range do sell well, though. Lessers, mojaves, albinos, yellowbellies, vanillas, fires...I could go on. Just choose what you like, enjoy the project, make babies, and they'll sell.
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Jason Royer
Royer Reptiles

Royer Reptiles on Facebook
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signature edited by forum admin. 3/29/07

I hate to say it but I agree...I breed what I like to look at and what I know I can market to the public...love the snakes and love the morphs but I also love the income...I have a lot invested and I aint in it for the pure joy of owning Ball Pythons...its a lot of time, work and money to get it going and it takes money to make money...
If anyone says they are in it for the joy then they will not be around long in this hobby. I make 6 figures a year at a full time job (60 hours a week) and hate every minute of it...I breed BP's because I love being around snakes and I want something that I can invest money in and see a return on my investment. I want out of my 60 hours a week and cut down to 40 and have the BP's cover the difference but still I enjoy seeing them every day...watch them grow and change and see the babies pip out...so it is a even match...enjoyment and income....anyone else who says different is being less than upfront.
Just my opinion and I could be wrong....but I dont think so
Travis
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LAIR OF DRAGONS

This is how I feel. I love snakes. I want to breed them because I love snakes, but I mean the extra cash would be nice, that's why I figure if I can make money doing something I love then why not? I'm not doing it just for the money, believe me.

Thanks for the answers everyone. I'm going to look around still. Since I'm just starting out maybe I'll be ready by next year to begin breeding nice morphs, this year I'll just try saving for the next. Thanks everyone!

There is nothing wrong with making money at this hobby/business. I'm not one of the people who believes it is strictly for the love of snakes.

But, he is 14 years old, his first sentence and the bulk of his post were how to make money. He is 14, with internet access, if he had 1/4 the interest in snakes as he has in making money he would have researched BP's and had a much better idea of how to go about this. If he convinces his Dad to buy him snakes, I hope his mother likes BP's too, because it will be her taking care of them.

Travis, I hear your point loud and clear. I'm sure you enjoy your snakes, it is obvious. But if you were 14 now and just starting to get interested in snakes, I'm sure you would have read everything you could find and making money wouldn't be your first priority.

I don't know this particular 14 year old, but not all 14 year olds are irresponsible. I took care of my pets as a kid. If I didn't, my mother would have gotten rid of them.
And she was terrified of snakes...but let me have them (kept her out of my room. Haha.)
So if I didn't take care of them, no one would have.

Just sayin'
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus

Okay you haven't seem to read what I've been saying though. I've loved snakes since I was 6. I've been reading and learning about since I was probably 8. My mom finally let me get my first BP when I was 12, and said if I didn't take care of it she would get rid of it. I still have that snake today and have since added a second, spotted python to my collection. And just because my dad has agreed to help me pay for them doesn't mean I'm irresponsible! Please don't think just because when you were 14 or other 14 year olds now are irresponsible. I'll admit there are many who are, and I'm very good friends with possibly the most irresponsible 14 year old ever! I'm not saying there are irresponsible 14 year olds. I'm saying I'm not one.

I've cared for my snake for 2 years and now I'm ready to try something like breeding. I really appreciate the other answers rather than yours. And I'll state it one more time so hopefully you see it, WHY NOT MAKE MONEY DOING SOMETHING I LOVE? G'day.

"Okay you haven't seem to read what I've been saying though. I've loved snakes since I was 6. I've been reading and learning about since I was probably 8. My mom finally let me get my first BP when I was 12, and said if I didn't take care of it she would get rid of it. I still have that snake today and have since added a second, spotted python to my collection. And just because my dad has agreed to help me pay for them doesn't mean I'm irresponsible! Please don't think just because when you were 14 or other 14 year olds now are irresponsible. I'll admit there are many who are, and I'm very good friends with possibly the most irresponsible 14 year old ever! I'm not saying there are irresponsible 14 year olds. I'm saying I'm not one.

I've cared for my snake for 2 years and now I'm ready to try something like breeding. I really appreciate the other answers rather than yours. And I'll state it one more time so hopefully you see it, WHY NOT MAKE MONEY DOING SOMETHING I LOVE? G'day."

If your first post was like the one above we wouldn't have started out on the wrong foot. Instead your first sentence was this.

"I want to start ball python breeding to get a little money."

From that sentence I got the feeling you had just learned there is a dollar to be made in reptiles. Your next post seemed to confirm my suspicions about your interest and your family's obsession with money.

I get 80 dollars a month from my parents as an allowance and I get atleast 1500 dollars in gifts throughout the year so I've got a pretty good source of income, and my dad is kind of helping me start he makes a six figure salary so money truly isn't a huge issue.

Nothing wrong with an allowance or gifts, hopefully your parents have you doing something to earn the allowance. I know it has been over four decades since I was fourteen, and maybe times have changed, but I never knew how much money my parents made or throw around the term "six figure salary"

Maybe I misjudged you, maybe not.

I didn't know there was a limit on how much you can post, the last one got to the limit.

Maybe I was wrong, if so we'll see in a few years and I'll gladly eat my words. Hopefully you can see my point also, when you start talking about money and so forth, you are going to turn off many people who you are asking for help.

You can use a computer, do some research on your own. Ask detailed questions about specifics that you don't quite understand, not great big broad questions that suggest you haven't done any research and want someone to hand you an easy answer.

So here is your challenge, do some research, learn what you can, ask questions to clarify what you have read and prove me wrong. I hope you can.
Good Luck, Mike

Alright, trust me this is not all about money. Money is nice, but I mean I've loved snakes forever, and I really want to get into something new with ball pythons. I've decided I'm going to buy a breeder sized normal female and breed it to my male normal and see how I enjoy it and how I like it, then save my money and then try with new morphs. Sorry if I wasn't making things clear before.

I honestly don't believe you need to be apologizing for anything or your intentions here! I wish I would have had more encouragement to pursue my entrepreneurial spirit when I was 14! The truth is that you really have to love these animals first to make a go at this for money, it's not like it's a get rich quick scheme. I mean, seriously, how many investors are sitting there, "Hmmm, I'm thinking of an investment. Real estate, stock market, bonds.....Nah, I think I'll go with Ball Pythons!" The fact that there is an opportunity to do this and make money is evidence that there's still a little American dream left for us to pursue. You can actually breed ball pythons and make some money! That's awesome! People worked with these animals for years and there wasn't a dime to be made. Congratulations on realizing this at a young age and good luck in the future. Keep researching, asking questions and most importantly have fun!
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Jason Royer
Royer Reptiles

Royer Reptiles on Facebook
_____

signature edited by forum admin. 3/29/07

Hatched my first clutch of snakes ever at age 14...wild caught Black Rat....gravid when I collected her...after seeing them come out of the eggs I knew for sure I was hooked....had reptiles my whole life...it was the only thing my brother wasn't allergic to.

Yes you should research first before you ask questions...instead of looking for the short cut.
Travis
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LAIR OF DRAGONS

1
I love snakes, and I have goals as far as what I want in my collection one day, but honestly...I am also looking forward to selling some morphs and making some money.
Snakes are what I like to do...and they are what I am good at (keeping/breeding etc), so why would I NOT want to make money doing something I love?
-----
"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus

I would think about taking your time and raising up your breeders. This year you could easily buy a pastel female and a yellow belly female for under your $500. You might even be able to get 3 morph females.

Then next year you could add an enchi boy for $250 and breed them together when the girls are ready. Look at the pastel enchis and yellow belly enchis, they sell well and are really pretty. Enchi girls alone sell well too.

As for how to breed them, Justin Kobylka has a nice "breeding recipe" on his site and Markus Jayne has a really good photo description of the breeding process on his site. Google them.

Good luck!

Thank you, I do appreciate answers like this. I'm still searching around. I figure if I buy babies or sub adult that they should be ready by next years breeding season. Atleast that's what I hope. Maybe I'll see if I can pick up another female normal to just try breeding her to my male normal and see if I get the gist of it that way I know for sure next season. Thanks again!

buy only females...
if your normal is male , sell it
buy babies...who wants someone elses' troubles...(maybe)
baby YB male...$40...wait year or two...buy adult for 100$ later
baby YB female...not sure...but 100$ and less...

FIND someone with alot of balls...and fair prices...cheap...he don't care...sells normal stuff cheaply...in your area...!!!
het pied females 100 het amel females 40$...YB...60$/...pastel females 40$ and less....see...buy cheap...

and if possible ....buy everything het something else too...like all het ghosts....

...good luck...start smart....!!!....4 girls and go with that....next year or two a male...

....
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........JY

I can't sell my normal. You know a sentimental feeling. He was my first snake. I just don't have the heart to sell him. I'd attempt to do what you're saying, but I don't know. Thanks for the advice though!

If you want to produce the best looking snakes you can. Then you have to start with the best...If you buy cheep ugly pastels for $40 then you will produce cheep ugly pastels you can sell for $20 Hope your first clutch is like this!

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Jason Amos

Ball Pythons
6.40
Dogs
1.1 Staffordshire Bull Terriers

Ok thanks for the input. I've decided to breed my normal to another normal and just see how I like it. Sell the babies cheap and then start with nicer higher quality morphs if I enjoy it. I really love and respect reptiles. I'm looking forward to trying my hand at breeding, and I figure if I try with normals first then if I don't like it I won't be too far into it.

Thanks everyone!

some people will get you both....

...good idea...start breeding and see what you like...

fastest and easy breeding...buy a pair of corns too...
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........JY

So I just found a female normal and I'm scheduled to pick her up on Friday. She's 4 years old and 4 feet long. Getting her for 35 dollars. Is this pretty good? She's a proven breeder aswell.

like everyone said putting money in your first though for breeding bad choice. i was in the same spot you were in 8 years ago though about breeding(not about the money tho). don't forget you also have to factor in the cost of getting an incubator or making one, both cost some money for supplies and a good thermostat. housing for all the babies once they hatch, so you will either be buying a rack, or building one. food for the babies and don't forget in 4 years you will be going to college, 99% of college woulnt let you have snakes and if you try to keep them in your dorm you will get kicked out trust me i know. think about it for a while this is not a hobby where you can just throw it away after you started especially if you breeding normals. just look on your local crags list theres hundreds of normals for sale and not many people want them. think about it and make sure you want to do it, or just wait like i did until you know you can house,feed and take care of them the way they need to be. and save some money along the way, and you will be able to get the morphs you want and will have a decent backbone into the morph world of ball python breeding.
Tom
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Ball Pythons
1.0 Poss. het albino (Angel)
0.1 Albino (Corona)
Morelia
0.1 Jungle Carpet Python (Sage)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Unknown)
Corns
0.1 Snow (Roxy)
Bearded Dragons
0.1 Blood X Red/Citrus (Coral)
Terrapins
1.0 Diamond Back Terrapin (Crush)

If you do this, keep in mind the AVERAGE clutch for a ball python is 5-10, where as the average clutch for a corn is 20-30...so having housing for the babies is important.
As well as food.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus

I've got places to house the babies and I live in the same city as a guy known as Snakeman (Gary Liesen) who supplies mice and rats and we have 2 pet stores so it shouldn't be an issue.

Ok. I was just saying those are things to think about when deciding what to breed.
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"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus

Dang. That's a nice clutch!
-----
"What is man without the beasts?
If all the beasts were gone,
men would die from great loneliness of spirit.
For what happens to the beasts,
soon happens to men.
All things are connected."

-Chief Seattle (Duwamish Tribe)

www.youtube.com/reptilenexus