Farm Bread Ball Python????

probe7899 · 12-23-02, 03:59 PM

Hi I have another quick question I was wondering if any body has a farm bread ball python and if so what is your opinions on them???? I just purchased a farm bread ball python and am being told that it was a mistake to do. She did eat for me. The reason i purchased a farm bread snake(its farm bread in africa) is i was told by a couple of people its hard to breed balls in capativity. Also does any one have any websites where i can purshase a captive bread ball.
Thanks again
Brian
P.S. what are the main concerns with purchasing a farm bread python from africa?????

Big Mike · 12-23-02, 04:40 PM

I don't know much about snake breeding farms in Africa but I would think that they would be susseptable to decise and infestation by paracites. Just with the amount of snakes in one location there is a higher risk of health problems.

Balls are not that hard to bread, as far as I know. They do have small clutches so it's hard to get a lot of them. It's probably really cheap to breed them in thier natural enviromental conditions like in africa. I have heard that they are shipped by the thousands to North America and quite a few don't survive. Of course they are dirt cheap so that's why they are in petstores.

Any good breeder will sell animals that are healthy and have eaten at least once. If you do a search for ball python breeders you will come up with lots. Find one in your area or find a show/sale close to you.

Don't give up on the one you have though...it might turn out to live a long and healthy life.

Good luck

tightsqueeze · 12-23-02, 06:28 PM

dude ball pythons are easy to get CB depending on the time of year some times they are a dime a dozen(figure of speach)

just post an add saying your looking for a CB ball python and i gurentee you you will get atleast a few hits with in the first week!!

jay

Lisa · 12-23-02, 06:54 PM

I don't know about hard to get captive bred (corey and others make a living selling CB BPs) but i think farm bred is just another name for captive hatched.

If you deside you want another snake just look in the classifieds here or contact one of the breeders that are listed on this system.

PO_0784 · 12-25-02, 05:42 PM

I have no problem with Farm raised ball...mine is farm raised and he is a smooth gentleman without any problem

!

probe7899 · 12-25-02, 08:42 PM

PO o784
Yea I havent had a problem with mine yet eather... She isnt aggressive, she ate twice for me and seems very calm.
Thanks for all the feed back every one....
P.S. PO 0784 did you take your farm bread snake to the vet to get checked for any type of parasites???????

Lovley Monica · 12-26-02, 12:02 AM

Gee, Everyone Has Ball pythons, Yet I Dont have one..

thats Unfair...hehe!!! THey are Such Beautys.....

probe7899 · 12-26-02, 09:44 PM

You should deffinately get one I find them great. I have a corn also but the balls are always out looking around unlike my corn who is always hiding........

MidnightIris · 12-27-02, 11:48 PM

I believe that my ball is farm hatched, and she's great. She's doubled her size (both length and girth) in six months and eats whatever I give her, fingers occassionally included :0)

Jeff_Favelle · 12-28-02, 03:50 AM

That's great and all that your farm-raised, CH, whatever Ball Pythons have lived and are thriving nicely. But for every one that does, 100 die in transport, collection, pet stores, etc etc etc.

If you knew/saw the conditions and the number of wilds coming to N. America, I guarantee you that you'd switch to pure Captive Bred in a heartbeat. At least, I'd hope you would.

Tim_Cranwill · 12-28-02, 10:20 AM

For me personally, nothing could even tempt me to buy a "farm raised".

1. CBB balls are available almost all year round.
2. CBB balls are only a little more expensive, at least where I live.
3. CBB balls SHOULD be guaranteed disease and parasite free.
4. CBB balls you purchase don't support poachers/"farmers".
5. CBB balls should adapt easily to captive life and feed regularly.
6. CBB balls you purchase support your local breeders who drive this hobby we all love.

The ONLY reason I can think of to buy a "farm raised" ball is to diversify your gene pool and I don't think you need to worry about that will balls. There are probably 1000's of different bloodlines in North America being captive bred and born every year.

Just a thought...

Jeff_Favelle · 12-28-02, 07:36 PM

Cranwill my man, that was one dynamite post! Good stuff man!

probe7899 · 12-28-02, 08:10 PM

I understand what you all are saying but the truth of the matter is that I was told that ball pythons were difficult to breed and most places that you get a ball python from would be farm bread in Africa this was a mistake I made being a beginner with ball pythons. But the one I have has eaten and does not seem to be held. Do you suggest getting rid of it and buying a captive bread or keep this one I have and avoid buying farm bread in the future??????????????????????????

Jeff_Favelle · 12-28-02, 08:25 PM

Nobody is suggesting you do anything. All we are stating is that we find the trade in WC animals, Ball Pythons in particular, immoral and unnecessary, due to the fact that sooo many are being bred right now. I didn't even really try this year and I had 2 clutches. And I live in frozen Canada where we are 10 years behind in terms of herpetoculture!! There are THOUSANDS bred in the States every year so to say that none are available is a lie.

But again, the choice is totally yours and for every person that chooses CB only, there are 10 people that will buy WC to save a few bucks.

Do what's best for you and your situation.

Happy Holidays

Tim_Cranwill · 12-28-02, 08:31 PM

Now you know and knowing is half the battle.

Spread the word...