Is getting a special color morph of a Ball Python worth it?

[XburntbythesunX]

I saw a really gorgeous BP at petsmart that was pure white with black eyes. I wanted to get it immediately but it was $500, which seems to be fairly close to what they sell for online.

But it's kind of hard for me personally to justify that money when I can get a regular BP for around $30 at our local reptile show. Is that $500 something that can be recouped easily in a breeding loan? I don't know much about that stuff.

[eminart]

Unless you are already interested in breeding, I wouldn't factor that into the equation.

It just comes down to how much you want the morph. Is it worth it to YOU?

[Zelg]

I would say no, its not "worth it."

I would say that if you desire something fancy then you will pay the extra dough. I ended up buying a normal BP for like 60 bucks when I got him. I personally think the normal pattern of a BP looks great. Theres plenty of high dollar morphs out there that I think look terrible.

That said he was my first snake and I didnt want to really give in to the morph fad right away. I'm glad I didnt. Not that theres anything wrong with it. Its just a personal feeling for me. If I were to get another BP I would definitely get something more fancy.

Just keep in mind that a BP is a BP and a fancier one wont be doing tricks for you or display itself any more than a normal would. It will still most likely sit in its hide 99% of its life. IMO theres no justification for a $500 BP unless thats what you want and you have the cash.

I recently got a carpet python as my second snake and I wasnt looking for anything crazy but ended up with a wonderful looking carpet. I initially was talking to a guy about one that was $150 but the guy stopped responding to me when I asked for clarification on something so I kept looking. A couple weeks later I spotted a nice looking one with a very unique head pattern of a reverse question mark. It was only priced 50 bucks more (not including shipping) and I couldnt be happier. Still a long ways away from 500 bucks but personally I'd have no problem paying good money for a fantastic looking snake if thats what I wanted and I had the cash.

That said, previous to my carpet I bought an amazing looking white lipped python for 300 bucks that got sick and died within 2 months of having it. Aside from a life of a wonderful pet that I adored, it was 300 bucks down the drain. Granted Balls are pretty hardy but still, its somethign to think about. If it gets sick and dies, you're out 500 bucks. Versus the 30 for the normal.

Theres nothing wrong with wanting and getting an expensive morph, it just has to be worth it to you...no one else. Just remember that it wont be any more special than a normal, aside from appearance.

[XburntbythesunX]

I would like to breed for fun, but I just want to know if that upfront cost is something that can be usually be made back.

Plus there is probably no reason to breed a $30 BP.

Is it worth it TO ME? That depends on whether or not I can recoup that upfront cost. That is going to be what makes it worth it to me.

[Zelg]

I've never bred...may do so in the future at some point but its not really my interest right now. But what I've heard many breeders say that if you're in it to make money, you're in it for the wrong reasons. You're very likely to lose money for a long time starting out. I would think if you're just doing it for fun, you're even less likely to make back what you spend. But certainly, wait for a breeder to respond....I just wouldnt expect to make back what you spend unless you got some really nice genetics, which of course you have to spend to get.

[XburntbythesunX]

Everyone says don't breed to make money. I wouldn't be doing it for profit. Just for fun and to try to recoup some of the upfront cost.

I just think breeding snakes would be fun in general. But if you can't sell the babies, what are you going to do with them? I certainly don't know.

[Charis]

Can you make the upfront money back? Yes and no. Depending on gender and species, you are looking at 2 to 5 years for the animal to get up to breeding size, if you buy a, generally, less expensive hatchling and grow it up. Are you actually going to count the money spent on it's care and up keep as an expense that needs gotten back too? Some people do and some people (me) don't, figuring that they would own the snake and be paying that anyway, if they bred or not.

Will the animal more or less hold it's value while you are growing it up? That depends on a lot of factors. When you breed it, will it produce viable offspring? How many? Again, that can vary from many different factors.
Say that you breed it, it produces 5 babies that are each only now worth $100 each, you will have recouped the initial investment in the first year, of that one animal's original purchase price. But if you breed, you need two animals, some kind of incubator, enclosures and food for the babies, who may not sell fast and will keep needing to be fed. You can partner up with another breeder but if the only thing you are providing is the male, you will generally be offered less than half of the results.
Other than the ongoing food and a few other items, most of that is lifetime or every few year purchases.
So, if absolutely everything goes perfectly, it is possible to recoup your initial investment, even in two breeder animals, in their very first season. It is vastly more likely though that at least some things won't go perfectly and you will not come out even or make a profit until the 3rd or 5th breeding season.

[XburntbythesunX]

Thanks that's helpful. I'm not super worried about the maintenance costs since I assume it would be the same with a $500 snake that it would be with a $30 snake.

[kovacs01]

I would like to breed for fun, but I just want to know if that upfront cost is something that can be usually be made back.

Plus there is probably no reason to breed a $30 BP.

Is it worth it TO ME? That depends on whether or not I can recoup that upfront cost. That is going to be what makes it worth it to me.

If you are doing it for a hobby, and enjoy breeding and keeping snakes anyway, then go for it. Consider what you make back from breeding to be a nice bonus. But if you are buying a morph for the purpose of making money, then you are likely to be disappointed. Unless of course you are able to get in at or near the ground floor of a significant new morph of a popular species.

Recouping the cost of the animal might not be bad. But you have to add on the cost of feeding, vet bills, equipment (incubator, probes, etc). That does not even account for your time........

Buy the snake 'cause you love the snake. That way if you don't make a dime off of breeding, its no loss.

That is my $.02

[macandchz]

i agree with kovacso1. buy the snake it it truly attracts you. do you have other snakes? if you do, then you already know the cost of caring for one. from the way other people talk on here, breeding is not as simple as it sounds or as profitable unless you're a pro.

[Charis]

A more expensive snake of the same species with a different paint job is no different in practical matters of taking care of it and it's temperament than any other, less expensive snake.
Still I often see people balk at paying more for a color/pattern they like better, though this is generally a difference of $30 or less, and I usually want to point out that they could potentially have this pet for 15 to 30 years and even if they don't breed it, getting the one that they really want, rather than "settling" on a cheaper version is pretty short sighted. If a paint job will enhance your personal enjoyment of this pet a significant amount for that many years to come, it's a rather cheap price to pay to get the one you really want.

(Of course, since we are talking a living creature that is subject to the entire host of accidents, illness and death that any other living creature is, there is no guarantee that it will live a long time, even with the very best of care.)

[Aaron_S]

Interestingly enough I've sold more $400+ snakes this past year to "pet only" people than ever before! People love the colours and patterns because they are still rare and unseen in many collections and most people aren't breeding for them!

My white snakes sell quickly at the right price.

If I were getting into this again I would buy up a pair of white snakes for the asking of $500 each ($1000) hands down. In a few years I'll end up with an entire clutch of ALL white snakes. Even if they sell for $200...and I have 4 - 6. I'm within spitting distance of my initial money.

Especially taking out maintenance costs since as the original poster stated, it's the same for a $30 as it is for a $500 snake.

One thing to be weary of though, is how fast can YOU sell them for? I have been around long enough that I developed my reputation and continue to do so. It makes for easier trust and sales.

[Albert Clark]

Only you can be the judge of a certain color/genetic morph and its value to you. The market sets prices but that doesnt mean you feel it's worth it. In another sense maybe i would or tacky jackie does feel its worth it and possibly worth more. If you felt strongly enough about a special colored morph and felt it was too much for you to spend most reputable breeders have payment plans and can work with individuals who prefer a timed plan. Petsmart is not the best place to buy any live animal. Regardless of their pricing. As a breeder you will have to invest in what the demand is and try to be able to supply it. Most of all you have to have the passion for it. When that passion hits you, you'll know it and 500.00 won't matter.