Wow, retics are expensive!

Spaghetti · 04-26-12, 12:33 AM

Now, of course any giant python is going to be expensive to feed and house, but I was checking out some classifieds (just because I like looking at pretty snakes) and I was shocked.

The normals are actually pretty cheap, but even basic morphs are up for sale upwards of $700. I only paid 200 for my little burm, so that seemed a bit unusual to me.

Any particular reason? I understand rarity of morphs and all, but is there something about breeding retics that makes hatchlings hard to produce?

Just curious.

Norm66 · 04-26-12, 05:26 AM

I think you might have answered your own question in the first sentence. But I'd also add that it takes longer for the big snakes to be ready to breed so any given project takes longer than say, a similar project with royals. At least that's what I heard on a NERD video I was watching last night. I'm a newbie to retics myself.

The good news is retics are (IMHO) the best looking normal out there.

shaunyboy · 04-26-12, 06:32 AM

some morphs can take " years " of selective breeding to produce

that and their rarety reflects in the price

imo,the above applys to all species not just retics

cheeers shaun

MoreliAddict · 04-26-12, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaghetti

Now, of course any giant python is going to be expensive to feed and house, but I was checking out some classifieds (just because I like looking at pretty snakes) and I was shocked.

The normals are actually pretty cheap, but even basic morphs are up for sale upwards of $700. I only paid 200 for my little burm, so that seemed a bit unusual to me.

Any particular reason? I understand rarity of morphs and all, but is there something about breeding retics that makes hatchlings hard to produce?

Just curious.

It's supply and demand.

For all species, the rarity of the morph equates to supply and has a huge impact on pricing.

The prettiest morphs also get a bump in demand, further upping the price.

**Aaron_S** · 04-26-12, 09:06 AM

The mutations in retics have been around less for less time than burms and with ball pythons they just are kept more often so more is done with them.

I'm surprised retics are still selling for that much. Since you know they have like 20 eggs a female.

KORBIN5895 · 04-26-12, 09:26 AM

Change your signature Aaron.

Also that sounds ridiculous for pricing! Can't Retics breed around three years old?

Will0W783 · 04-26-12, 12:47 PM

Retics breed at the same ages as any other python: 1.5-2 years minimum for males, 3-4 years minimum for females. The bigger issue is with size of the female. A female retic needs be at least 12 feet long and of good muscle tone and body fat to consider being bred.

Spaghetti, I'm not sure where you are getting those prices, but around my area retics are quite affordable. I routinely see purple albinos for $250-400, lavender albinos for $200-500, and tigers for anywhere from $200-up. Adults are going to be more expensive than babies of course, as the seller has had much more expense feeding and growing up the animal, and it will be at or near to breeding size immediately, offering an immediate return on investment. Babies will need years of feeding and growth, so they are priced accordingly.

**millertime89** · 04-26-12, 01:50 PM

Kim's 100% correct, if you're looking at adults they won't come cheap, but babies aren't bad at all. It also depends on who's prices you're looking at. If you're basing it off of a pet store they've got overhead so they're always going to be higher (plus the usual pet store markup) and if its a well known breeder you're paying for quality.
Anything in particular you're looking for? I can check around and see what's out there.

KORBIN5895 · 04-26-12, 06:58 PM

I am looking for a purple zebra.

**millertime89** · 04-26-12, 06:59 PM

THAT would be cool...

Rogue628 · 04-26-12, 10:31 PM

Some morphs drop in price more quickly than others as well. When I first saw the purple albino, Bob Clark had it listed on his site for more than a $1000. Now he sells them for a little more than half that.

The cost of the snake itself pales in comparison to the husbandry, upkeep, etc of it.

Aaron, a guy I know on another forum had a female that laid over 40 eggs and if I'm not mistaken, it was her first clutch. She had less than 5 duds. She was bred to a lavender...she's a purple stripe). O.O

Spaghetti · 04-26-12, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Anything in particular you're looking for? I can check around and see what's out there.

I was actually looking for a tiger... I love that morph! I'd like a baby, but one that's had a few meals. I'm not quite set up just yet for it, I was shopping around a bit..ideally I was looking to bring one home in july. I was thinking I'd be looking at 200-300 range, but I might be way off on that, as kingsnake.com showed me, lol

Quote:

I routinely see purple albinos for $250-400, lavender albinos for $200-500, and tigers for anywhere from $200-up.

Where are you shopping? lol I've been looking for something in the 200-300 range. I was looking on Kingsnake.com.

**millertime89** · 04-26-12, 11:02 PM

man you can buy a SD tiger for 2-300. You can find mainland tigers for 100-150 if you know who to talk to. Kingsnake is a joke for retics. The big breeders really only use it to drum up business. There should be PLENTY to chose from in July.

Spaghetti · 04-26-12, 11:19 PM

Millertime, that's great to hear! You seriously just made my night! I'll have to keep my eye out

**millertime89** · 04-26-12, 11:21 PM

Just hit me up when you're ready to add a new one. They're hatching from 2 months ago usually through summer's end. Peak retic hatching season, just depends on the breeders and the snakes. I was keeping an eye out for a SD for Norm until he found the breeder local to him.