Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have been breeding geckos and spiders since I was 12 years old and now am finally getting into more expensive ball pythons. I am doing it for the fun, but would love to break even or make a little extra money. I am curious to see if other small and large scale breeders are able to make money after food, supplies, and buying new stock. Any responses and personal experiences would be great. Thanks a lot.

You can make money but it's a lot of hard work. Anything specific you would like to know?
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Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I will go with Jays answer. I will also add dont get all emotionally tied up with the "sky is falling" crowd. You can still do very nicely if you work hard at it and breed what you like.
Reptile Basics Inc

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Rich Goldzung
Reptile Basics Inc
www.reptilebasics.com

RB

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Well okay since the topic has been raised. I do have some specific questions.

1. Is it worth breeding if you only have 2 bps? I am getting a het albino and would like another het or albino in the future. If 2 isn't worth it, what would you say the minimum is?

2. What equipment do you need to successfully breed bps?

3. What is the start up cost of breeding bps (not including stock)?

>>1. Is it worth breeding if you only have 2 bps? I am getting a het albino and would like another het or albino in the future. If 2 isn't worth it, what would you say the minimum is?

Depends on what your goal is - do you just want to get an albino and ejoy breeding ball pythons - then yes two het albinos will get you where you want to be. If you are striving for womething more then you may want to get more balls - very dependant on what you want to do.

>>2. What equipment do you need to successfully breed bps?

Again very dependant on what you are working to acheive.

>>3. What is the start up cost of breeding bps (not including stock)?

See answer #2 figure on caging, substrate, bowls, hides, heating, thermostats, etc. temp gun feeders, possible vet bills, misc. literature breeding videos, etc. if you get eggs incubation costs, you'll most likely have some added electric bills due to heating and lighting - not very significant if you have a small set up, shipping supplies, marketing costs. I'm sure I left some out. Again very dependant on what you wish to accomplish.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Thanks! I'm really just interested in doing it "for fun". For the learning experience and the joy of doing it. I definitely don't plan on doing it as a career or anything. It would be nice if it could bring in a little bit of money though. As long as I could break even that would be fine too.

Start out with your het pair - raise them , breed them if you get eggs and they hatch then you should easily break even if not come out ahead - depending on how well you prayed to the BP gods. If you've had fun and want to pursue it further you know about what you are in for.

>>Thanks! I'm really just interested in doing it "for fun". For the learning experience and the joy of doing it. I definitely don't plan on doing it as a career or anything. It would be nice if it could bring in a little bit of money though. As long as I could break even that would be fine too.
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer