Want to know how much it cost to start breeding

[Reddtail_2004]

I have a redtail Boa and her name is Lexi and I just wanted to know what I need to do to start a business and I am going to college in the fall for environmental science and I was wondering if anyone could let me know of how much money it is going to cost me to start breeding redtail boas. I am also going to college for business and just wanted a little advice if it is a smart investment.



Thank you,

Clint P.

[cahrens]

Hi Clint,
I wouldn't think breeding boas to be a wise investment. Especially if you're new at it. Don't get me wrong, I know everyone has to start somewhere. The place to start though, is with boas as a hobby. If you wanna have 2 or 3 or 10 as pets then go for it. You have to remember though, hobbies COST money. They don't make you money. Once you've had them for a few years and are comfortable investing a lot of money in high end animals that's when you might make some money. The problem is that you have 1 now so you're already hooked. You can only get more. There's no turning back now. Also if you're planning to go to college where would you put your boas? Are you going to school locally or staying in a dorm somewhere? I understand you could prolly sneak 1 into a dorm room but not a breeding collection. Good luck in whatever you decide to do. -Chris

[HerperCCC]

Great advice Chris. You brought up a point that, I believe, escapes a lot of young herpers. (Probably because I didn't think about it when I was younger). That is, what will happen to your animals if/when you go off to college!

I only had a small collection when I left home (2 sub-adult Green Iguanas, and a 6-foot Colombian Boa), but was fortunate to have a Mom and Brother willing to take care of my animals while I was gone. So, for two years they took care of them for me, and I could only visit them on weekends! (My college was just under 2 hours away by car.)

For the most part they did a fantastic job, but there were a few issues, like the time the Boa got out and popped my waterbed with a cactus from my windowsill, broke my Star Wars collector mug, and nearly bit my brother when he tried to pull her out of my nice warm stereo cabinet! :-/

So for all you young herpers, make sure you have some arrangement for your herps if you're going to leave home! :'(

[KYLE]

I SPENT 4900 ON JUST A PAIR!!!

[Randy_T.]

If you are wanting to breed just a pair of normals the cost of "breeding" is actually cheaper then keeping a pair. All you need to do to breed is offer optimum husbandry such as a good enclosure, heat, clean water, clean bedding and food. Now if you are successful at breeding you will have to shell out the cost of shoe boxes, material for a rack (or purchase a prefab enclosure) a heat source of some kind (I prefer heat tape), and feeders for the new arrivals.

[honkyfb35]

Welcome aboard Kyle....btw nice name!!

Kyle

[boaddict]

I SPENT 4900 ON JUST A PAIR!!!


:-/