Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Is there something Im not getting here.

I paid $600 for 10 750-1000g imported females they came treated and so far 4 of them have taken rats despite the fact they stayed at 70 degrees for 3 days.

Now, seeing females of the same size CB/CBB selling for $300-$450 each the price difference just isnt making sense to me.

Is there anything im missing here? Whats everyones experience with the imported females they have or have had in the past?

This is a difficult can of worms to discuss.

Import is to Captive Bred/Born (CBB) as Kmart is to Dillards.

Well, it comes down to quality. While some imports will readily feed, most will not. You can easily spend countless hours, days, and months trying to get them to feed. I have dealt with both and I can tell you from experience, I'd much rather deal with healthy CBB than imports. In the last 10 or so years, I have purchased many imports but have only kept 1. She took nearly 8 months to START feeding and was not a consistent eater for about 18 months.

Many people think imported adults are a quick shortcut to breeding success. I find most imports won't let a male near them - at least not in the first year.

Some people also believe buying imports fuels the "trade" industry and hurts everyone in the long run - I won't tell you which side I'm on.

Many imports die in their first year in captivity. Vet bills can be high. Some feel they give Flagyl and Fenbendazole and the animal will be fine, while in reality, these do not cover everything.

There are some who specialize in imports and for them, it works. For most, it does not.

Food for though.
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Thanks for taking the time to post that. Very helpful.

Most people who buy WC females are gambling. A CB rasied adult female will more then likely breed and produce in captivity. While a WC female, may take up to five years before she will cycle. Like the other poster said, alot of people use WC as a short cut to attempt breeding, and in the long run, they don't save themself's any time at all.
It would be wiser, to purchase hatchlings, raise them up and have them producing before the First WC female lays a single egg.
With that said, there have been cases where a WC female will produce the first year in captivity, that she had cycled in the wild before she was collected. But that female takes many years to cylce again and produce another clutch.
Gamble? We all take chances from time to time. If the animal is unique looking, Huge as in 3000 plus grams, etc.
The question you have to ask yourself, do you feel lucky?

Let us know how many eggs you get from these girls in the next few years, and then you can make a decision on whether you got a deal or not.

Almost every ball python that has been raised from a baby will produce eggs in an experienced breeders hand. The same can't be said for what you bought. Good luck with them, and hopefully you'll be OK.

Everyone gave you the usual info. They told me the same thing years ago. But I dont have trouble getting WC to breed. Most of mine breed there first year and everyone after. I take a simple approach dont feed them for the 1st month. Lets then settle in. And when breeding season starts I lower my temps slower then normal. It usually take the WC females longer to cycle. They also seem to take longer to ovulate. Just my experience. And before someone say Im lucky. I dont think Im that lucky to have 20 WC breeders. Remember this whole business is a huge gamble.
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Jeff Ludlow

Jeff,

I'm sure you are more experienced than the people that are going to buy WC as a short cut. Experienced or not, raising babies is the best way in the long run.

You could buy 20 wild caughts and weed out the problems, but I still have better luck with my animals that I raised. I'm too busy to mess with problem snakes also.

The only shortcut is the shortcut to the poor house.

I wasnt trying to state that like anyone could do it. Im just saying with the right conditions it can be done. I however do recommend CH/CB babies anyways. I just used the WC for temporary breeders till the CB girls were good to go.
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Jeff Ludlow