Reptile & Amphibian Forums

what exactly does captive farmed mean? i've always assumed captive bred in larger numbers,but what does it actually mean?and also,are captive farmed hatchlings[they are high gold] ok?i mean are they as good as captive bred and shouldnt have eating problems like wild caught?thanks

No...actually it's more like wild caught then captive bred. The vast majority of "capitive farmed" balls are nothing more then a method of wild caught. The "gatherers" go out and dig up wild ball python eggs, bring them to their farm and hatch them there. I've heard that a FEW outfits do raise adult BP in large pens and harvest the eggs from them, but I seriously doubt it...it's just not economically feasible.

~matt

Captive farmed is just a nice way to say IMPORT. What they do is collect gravid females from the wild to get their eggs. They hatch them out in large numbers and label them "captives". Which, in my opinion, is totally misleading. Anything that is labeled something other than CBB (captive bred AND born), basically is an import. And yes, they will have the same problems as imports. They are the same thing. Nothing beats true captive bred and born. I think other people like me who are taking the time and effort to breed good old normal ball pythons will agree.
Mike Wilson

ahh okay i see,because i soon will be purchasing my first ball python,they seem perfect except for feeding problems which i dont really want to experience so im looking for captive bred,ive got 3 options right now, theres a breeder ready to sell me a captive bred(and born) ball python for £63 including courier, or another breeder who has offered me a captive farmed high gold hatchling for £25(plus courier service) OR my local pet shop has some ball pythons,theyre £46 however last time i went i didnt manage to enquire whether or not they were captive bred,so im just considering my options at the moment

ahh okay,ive just rang up the local pet shop,and their £46 ball pythons are captive bred and defrost feeding,so what do ya'll recommend?

In all honesty...I think your petshop is feeding you a line of BS. I've worked at petshops for over 6 years and know that many will say/do anything for a sale. Sometimes it's also the case that they just don't know or the wholesaler has fed THEM a line. Your BEST bet is to buy from a known/respected breeder. Think about it...your setup is going to cost you more then the animal...so why skimp out a few bucks and possibly have to deal with a sick snake later.

Take care.
~matt

I've heard of some claiming "CB" for "Captive Born" (wild bred and "born" or hatched in captivity). Hopefully doesn't happen much as it's pretty shady but I think that is why "CBB" came to be a term.

True...I always double check that someone's abbreviations truly are what I expect them to mean. But to overlook all animals listed as CB simply because of the one or two unscrupulous people who misuse the term would be to overlook many quality Captive-bred (and born) animals. You make a good point, CAVEAT EMPTOR!