Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am looking into buying a pair of ball pythons this summer and was looking for a GOOD breeder. I would like to buy from someone face to face as I don't like the idea of shipping. I know there are a few Ohio reptile shows but I have never gone to one and don't quite know what to expect.

I would be looking into buying hets for albino or maybe a pastel if the prices go down a little more. I don't breed for money just as a hobby. I like to breed hets as you never quite know what you may get (I love triple hets!!). I want someone who I can trust that they are not selling me normals or 66% hets as 100% hets.

So could anyone tell me of some breeders to look for in Ohio or ones that reguarly go to the Ohio shows. I don't care how large or small their operation is just as long as they CARE about their animals.

Thanks
Matt W.

I highly suggest the columbus show, I go nearly every month. You have to watch out though, there a few breeders that will try to scam you anywere you go, so have a conversation with them first.The show is pretty large, you won't find a huge selection of different morphs, but the breeders are always willing to strt a conversation. It's were I get all my mice too. Who knows I might see you at the show on the 21st

I'm curious, how does a breeder go about scamming the public at the Ohio show?

Easy, they could sell you a 100% het for albino female that turns out to be a normal male.

Has this happen to you? Who would leave a show with a 100% het female albino, and not check references? the animal? get background information?
Seems to me, that the buyer has just as much responsibly as the seller in this game. Buyer beware.
But, in all fairness, The Breeders are the source we should buy our animals from. Not dealers, importers, middlemen.
Naturally, I'm talking about hets, not snakes in general.

No, I have never bought a het before (on purpose anyway).

But that is why I asked the question originally. I would just buy from a big name reputable breeder (NERD, VPI, Bob Clark, etc) but I don't want to ship anything worth more than $100

That is why I want to know any good (or bad) experiences. It is one way of doing my research.

You want to buy hets. You want to get into the ball game. You got good advice and don't even realize it. Then you respond that you would just buy from a big name breeder like Nerd, VPI, and Clark. Big name breeders are an excellent source but NOT the only legitimate and honest source. If your not willing to trust a smaller breeder, local or not, then why should anyone ever trust you? Why bother coming to the forum and placing a post for ball breeders in Ohio? As far as I know none of the breeders that your willing to buy from are in Ohio.
Why don't you go back and read the good advice that you were given. Going to a show and meeting local breeders is part of the game. Establish some contacts and learn from them. There are plenty of small breeders that are honest, sell legitimate hets, have good references, and are willing to help someone just starting out.

I attend the monthly ohio reptile show here in columbus, ohio and I do have to warn you that most of the dealers at this particular show are out to make a buck. I go there to get food from rodentpro as my operation is not yet big enough to pay for shipping. There are a few reputable tables there at the show that you can count on.Don't know the names off my head right now though. I am attempting to breed a couple of het albinos this year. The babies would only be 66% het though..

The reason I want a local breeder is because I do not like to ship animals. So I simply asked for any references on reputable breeders in my area. I got the answers that I was looking for, and am thankful to those that answered with helpful comments and not ignorant remarks.

Also how would I check the animal for het genes. Run a DNA analysis out of the back of my Plymouth?

I was refering to the sex issue. There are numerous people who sell Ball Pythons in Columbus. Hamper, Joliff, Hahn, etc, etc.
Best thing to do is ask questions, do research, get documentiton, and so forth. There are no sure thing, but if you feel uncomfortable buying hets, then save up your funds, and buy the actual morph.

I sent you a message via the KS e-mail thing.

But anyway thank you for your help, a lot of times in this buisness you need to be able to trust people, and sadly with the money involved nowadays sometimes you can't.

I am only really interested in albiino and pastel as they ar the only "affordable" morphs that I like.

Actually they are two of the only morphs that I really like. except for leucistic. I love leucistic snakes!! (mites can't hide)

I WAS ABOUT 15 YEARS NOW OUT OF FLORIDA BUT THERE ARE SOME GREAT BREEDER THERE STILL THANKS ERIC DALEY