Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a pair I am debating ove rkeeping or selling. They will not be old enough to breed at least until next year if I do keep them. I have to do a major cutback on my snakes and so far I am keeping my roseys for sure. But not sure about these guys. What are your opinions on them? The one that has the brilliant red and white looks to have a different design in its genes. Striping? The other does not have taht brillliant white. It is more yellowish than the other. It's pattern is falwless though. Still a pretty snake. What are your opinions on these two? IF it was you, and you had to cutback on your stock drastically, would you keep this pair? Or sell them? And what do youthink a reasonable price would be for the pair knowing they stil have another year till they can be bred?
I dont have too good a pic of the yellowish one. I took the pic of her when I first got them about 6 months ago. And they were still in the cup they came in. Sorry its pic isnt that great. Do what you can with it.
Thank you all for your opinions. They are apreciated!

That is a question that can elicit a different answer for every person on the forums.

I'm a rosy enthusiast, but when I had to go down to just a few snakes, I gave the rosies away because they can be a pain in the neck compared to most colubrids. (I like their natural history, I love seeing them in the field, I just don't care to keep them anymore.) Nelsoni are super easy to care for, look great and are simply well-mannered captives, even if they are common now.

Just look on the classifieds for examples of nelsoni prices. They are low. I'd keep them.

Strictly from a monetary standpoint, an unproven adult pair would sell for $300-$350, although the market appears to be very sluggish at this point.

If you bred the snakes and sold babies for $65-$75 each, which is their current going rate, you'd make more money selling the babies from the first clutch than the adults. And you can keep on making money every year you breed them.

Tim

Third Eye

I am a little biased, since I am a nelsoni finatic, but I would keep them.

However, it really depends on what your tastes are. I work with animals that I like because of their color, size, etc., not based on how much I can sell the babies for.

If you're in it to make millions, you're not going to do that with Nelsoni. The market is pretty full of people breeding nelsoni right now. Adult pairs aren't really going for much lately, either, especially those that aren't proven.

You seem to enjoy them for their appearance, size and temperment. What else could you ask for from a snake? Keep 'em.

Well, I guess I have two pair of snakes I am keeping now. The Roseys, And the Nelsonis. Thanks for your opinions, nad outlooks!!!
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That is a super nice looking nelson in your hand. I'd love to see some closeup pics sometime if you have any.

Steve

Here are a few more photos I have. Enjoy.

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Dave Niles
DNS Reptiles
Charlotte, NC

Besides their obvious beauty, they are some of the hardiest, good-natured animals enjoyed by novice and advanced keepers alike. But, as I learned long ago, keep only the animals that you enjoy and those will prove to be the most rewarding.
Kind regards,
Nathan Wells