Reptile & Amphibian Forums

In my opinion the main breeders out their are charging to much for these beautiful animals. Don't you think that even $2000 a pair is more then enough money. They say that they love the animals but I think they love more the dead Presidents. I know your all going to come back with how hard they are to eat. but again I thought it was for the love of the animals. YEAH RIGHT

How about they love their animals so much they don't want to let them go so cheap. If they were just wanting the money they would be in a hurry to sell them for whatever they could get. Don't blame them because you can't afford them.

Everyone of us that has them and is breeding them had to buy that at some point and at that point we paid what we had to to get them. It took me almost 3 years and 2 tax returns to pay of my 1.2 breeders. I had no problem doing that or paying what I did to get my animals and if someone wants babies from me they will do the same. And no $2000 a pair is not enough for my animals, I am asking $1800 a single female for 2010 babies and they are selling slowly to people that see them for what they are, kick butt blackheads. If I had any males available I would be asking more like $3200-$3500. If you feel that is too much money then you can get some womas or a ball python of some crazy color. You can also get a non-feeding dark colored, muddy backed baby from one of the guys who picked up the "a black head is a black head" animals.

It has been said time and again, if you a person wants to buy something they are going to buy it one way or another. If I offered you a $800 blackhead you still wouldn't be likely to buy it, it is not the cost but the fact that you think those of us that have them are trying to keep them from you. That is not the case, we are just asking what we think is fair.

I have not even taken pics of my hold backs from this year because I was told I was doing myself a disservice posting my hold backs and animals I was willing to sell next to each other making my other animals pale by comparison. If you look at it as a instant gratification then the price come first, if you look at it as an animal that you will have with you for life...

Jason

I can't see where they're overpriced. They are a superb animal. Usually dog-tame, eat anything (as adults) and really seem to be above the rest, intelligence-wise. Oh...really pretty, too. I bought my original pair at DB in '05 for $2500 from a major breeder and lost the female as an adult to a resp. infection that simply wasn't curable by me or my reptile vet. Had a bit of bad luck with her replacement, but I'll get another. They are similar to Womas, which I've bred multiple generations, but the BHPs will always be one of my top favorites. Maybe it's good that they're not cheap. Keeps them out of reach of irresponsible owners.

I've been trying to breed BHP's for about 5 years w/no success! I've spoke w/DR several times trading info (thanks DR). I'll solve this at some point and when I do, don't think I'm going to be handing these things out cheap! I've got hundreds if not thousands of hours into these animals! BTW, all these replys are spot on!

Buzzard Ball is right on point. (Hey brother)
Until you own these snakes.....you can never know the amount of work that's required or the different "techniques" needed to be successful.
I wasn't successful my first few years....very few people have been. They are a trail and error animal and each keepers requires learning their own method the keep and breed them.
That's why they've taken so long to get any consistency with these animals.

There are more of them in keeps hands than ever before....so, we should see some really cool things in the years to come.

D.

And, just so keepers have the information about these non feeding or slow feeder animals...
Keep away from skin folds. That's a sure sign they're on their way out. Doesn't mean they can't be turned around but, takes a lot of effort and is a gamble...even with experience assist feeding.
Make sure you ask if that they have been assist fed after the first shed. If they've gone longer than 3 weeks after....stay away.
I hate to see keepers get burned on this stuff.....it leaves a bad taste about the species when that happens and, it isn't the animals fault.

D.

Derek you made mention of breeding for "feeding" response as a line breeding attempt. This is what has happened with many animals from corn snakes to gray bands and it is really a great idea and if it can be done successfully.

Jason

I've always wondered if there's a correlation between babies that try to bite and good feeders. I used to think that the agressive ones were the best feeders, but that's not always the case.

I meant all snakes, not just BHPs.

You hit the nail on the head Derrik as it reminds me of Diamond Pythons [real ones that is]...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Hiya Tom! How cold has it gotten down your way?

Tom, have you seen any more wild Burms since last year?

They have been finding live wild burms since 2 days after the end of the cold snap last year. There are plenty left.

Jason

yeah, but where?

Pretty much everywhere they were before... there are multiple post from the guys actually in the field studing them on multiple forums. There are also random post from guys just field herping down there. The numbers are reduced but they are still found quite regularly. There were also african rocks found as well post freeze

Jason

They're here but plentiful is NOT a word I would use. The Outpost down the street gets the bulk of Burm calls and they've found damn few.....
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

I haven't seen a single Burm but I know others that have but few and far between. Tonight we're supoosed to hit 30 degrees. I wouldn't want to be a Burm in the Glades tonight...
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Tom Crutchfield
www.tomcrutchfield.com

Not only that but, Last year...on any given day I could leave my driveway and see at least 40-50 iguanas.

Haven't seen ONE yet this year and, we're already to winter again.

D

It seems You're making some claim that there is something inherently wrong in trying to make a profit on a hobby (or job) that one truly loves. Frankly the same claim could be made against those who think they are priced above their true value; that they love the dead Presidents (or non-presidents of you like Franklins) so much they are unwilling to part with them to get something worthwhile.

They'll eventually be bred enough that "pet quality" individuals will start to pop up and they'll go cheap. Those animals, if feeding well, will be every bit as interesting in behaviors and will only lack in a certain look or pattern. Until then it'll be serious breeders willing to sacrifice their $ to get the chance to work with what they want.

DT

>>In my opinion the main breeders out their are charging to much for these beautiful animals. Don't you think that even $2000 a pair is more then enough money. They say that they love the animals but I think they love more the dead Presidents. I know your all going to come back with how hard they are to eat. but again I thought it was for the love of the animals. YEAH RIGHT