Blackheads

kwhitlock · 03-13-14, 07:38 AM

So I have to ask, besides the normal supply demand line..why are these snakes so dam expensive? Do they have really small clutch sizes or are they a difficult snake to breed or what? I mean the cheapest mean price is over $1000!

Sublimeballs · 03-13-14, 08:40 AM

To my understanding their feeding habits are more difficult for keepers to wrap their heads around(small meals often). And they arnt easy to breed.

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwhitlock

So I have to ask, besides the normal supply demand line..why are these snakes so dam expensive? Do they have really small clutch sizes or are they a difficult snake to breed or what? I mean the cheapest mean price is over $1000!

They are expensive because very few keepers are actually successful at breeding them.

Most of the people keeping them have only hatched a handful of babies. I know one guy that's had em for 25 years and he just hatched his own 2 babies just last year.

Most keepers haven't figured out their egg incubation as their eggs are very large and very temperamental.

They are super easy to keep and breed but, the hatching is the issue.

Cheers,
D

Sublimeballs · 03-13-14, 09:40 AM

Improper feeding = no successful breeding?

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

Improper feeding = no successful breeding?

That's a big part of it. But, hatching them is still the bigger issue with reproductive success. Which I believe has to do with the diet of the adult females as well.

D

shaunyboy · 03-13-14, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Roddy

That's a big part of it. But, hatching them is still the bigger issue with reproductive success. Which I believe has to do with the diet of the adult females as well.

D

i have heard over fed fat females rarely produce...

that said,i know 1 guy in the UK who has success every time he breeds his BHP's

cheers shaun

Sublimeballs · 03-13-14, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Roddy

That's a big part of it. But, hatching them is still the bigger issue with reproductive success. Which I believe has to do with the diet of the adult females as well.

D

So is it the humidity, temps, or poorly developed eggs that seem to be the issue with the eggs? Or is it still just in the theory stage? I'm really interested.

Always nice when you chime in Derek. Btw congrats on the new band.

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaunyboy

i have heard over fed fat females rarely produce...

that said,i know 1 guy in the UK who has success every time he breeds his BHP's

cheers shaun

Overfed BHPs are Dead BHPs.

Sure, there are several guys around the world that have had good success.

Heck, I've hatched babies for 10 years running now. Tom Keogan, Mike Madacs, Paul Harris, Doug Price...not to mention the guys in Aussie, Neil Sonnemann, Denver, Troy T, etc....
But, in relation to how many people have BHPs in their collections to those who produce em.....probably only 10% of us have had year after year success.

D

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

So is it the humidity, temps, or poorly developed eggs that seem to be the issue with the eggs? Or is it still just in the theory stage? I'm really interested.

Always nice when you chime in Derek. Btw congrats on the new band.

All of the above. Haha.
Well....temps not so much. They do well in a range of temps.

They need high humidity but, can't get wet...this is somewhat tricky and, you really have to "know your egg development" to be able to watch em with 100% confidence and accuracy.

They're defiantly one of the harder species to have sustainable success with.

I noticed that my hatch rates and overall "look" (meaning they don't hatch with those super huge bellies that you see on a lot of BHP hatchlings) of my babies improved when I changed my feeding habits.

I've tried all types of different methods of incubation as well....all with the same results.
I think it comes down to just being experienced enough to work with em.

If you've hatched a lot of species across a wide range....you should have no worries. If you've only hatched a couple clutches of carpets and some kings....might want to think about another species. haha. Or, if you don't mind losing a few clutches while you figure out your formula. Happened to all of us breeding these guys.

D

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 02:13 PM

And cheers about the new band....I'm really excited about it. We're getting a lot of good press at the moment.

D

Sublimeballs · 03-13-14, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Derek Roddy

And cheers about the new band....I'm really excited about it. We're getting a lot of good press at the moment.

D

That's great to hear man.

I've been wanting to get a bhp for a few years now. I'd been hoping they'd come down a little in price but that doesn't seem to be probable in the near future. I might have to trade some pure dwarf retic hatchlings out for a pair here in the next few year. I'd love to give breeding them a go. Sounds like the perfect breeding project due to the challenge(if you're in it for the fun and not just for money).

metalcopper · 03-13-14, 04:15 PM

Which band are you playing with now Derek?

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by metalcopper

Which band are you playing with now Derek?

This one brother...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtrXrbVxzHk

D

Derek Roddy · 03-13-14, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

That's great to hear man.

I've been wanting to get a bhp for a few years now. I'd been hoping they'd come down a little in price but that doesn't seem to be probable in the near future. I might have to trade some pure dwarf retic hatchlings out for a pair here in the next few year. I'd love to give breeding them a go. Sounds like the perfect breeding project due to the challenge(if you're in it for the fun and not just for money).

They're awesome animals. To be honest, I could live with only keeping them if I had too. They're that cool. Haha.

D

kwhitlock · 03-13-14, 07:16 PM

So happy you chimed in Derek, thanks for clearing this all up! I knew about the over feeding issues with black heads I didn't know if that was it or with the eggs. Lol the reason I actually posted this was after seeing an ad on kingsnake.com from Tom selling a black back bhp I think it's called for 18k a duo and I about threw my mouse! Lol thanks for the good info and good luck with your new band!