How much to invest in BALL PYTHONS to start. A little $, or a LOT OF $$$? Which is right for YOU?

The truth is, there is no right answer. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and a lot depends on your situation and risk tolerance.
We often share how we did it, but it isn't the only way.
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[@TUFFGUY44]

I started with a $1k investment. DIY racks/incubators and some pet grade animals. 3 years later my collection has grown and i've made my return+ put more into my snakes. Now im sitting at 20k collection and roughly 6k~ in production the last 2 years and projecting this next season to have upwards of 30k~. Small investments are 100% doable and i hate the stigma that you need to invest thousands of dollars to even get by.

[@OlympusReptiles]

EXACTLY

[@crazyballpythongenetics4838]

Only to buy and make more snakes i know good feeling right haha good job man !! I am bot that level but thing are going up ✊ 💯🔥🐍

[@improvisedchaos8904]

Consider me inspired

[@jasmineramirez9309]

You should make videos on how you started and DIYs

[@LilMoody187]

One of the only breeder's that is willing to share how to make the right decisions with pros and cons in breeding snakes. I just started and I'm looking for information and advice. Love the videos and information

[@LilMoody187]

@Aeonian Reptiles How to properly identify genetics? How often will I be successful with breeding snakes?

[@trevorbraden5448]

@@LilMoody187 I'm in the same boat.... so much information.....I'm a hands on guy were I need to see and do it to learn....I wish I knew someone I could or would volunteer my time to learn and get educated....but can't seem to figure that out

[@andyhsong]

I agree shouts to Olympus reptiles

[@SpiritURall]

I'm thinking $4000k and a nice breeding facility by next summer to kick of my generational morph breeding business

[@wickedsnakes6015]

We started October 2020 when we rescued a Normal Ball Python. First I fell in love with the animals and then I learned it's an actual business. We went pretty hard core and so far we've invested in about 30k maybe more. Upfront we spent 10k but continued to buy snakes throughout the year. We also bought other species to have a diverse collection.we have not made a dime yet but early next year we will have our first eggs/litters and I'm excited!!! The investment didn't hurt us at all (aside from having a deposit for a house lol). Were going to start vending with our diy racks, diy hides, vines, and water bowls, and our feeders. We're doing whatever we can in the meantime before we have babies to sell. I'm absolutely loving it and I'm excited for our future!!

[@steezychevy827]

how much for a rack?

[@sphericreptiles]

Man, you are real and to the point. In the 90’s I kept reptiles with no interest in breeding. We are starting off with a medium amount that we will not lose sleep over. But, because of mentors, like what you are doing, it is a lot easier to get into the business now versus then. Education is better around the hobby or business, too. There is always a chance of failure, but planning for success and failure has to be there. Keep the good stuff coming. Lol, the real language is refreshing, too.

[@roger-grayfamilysnakes]

22:00 YES! this is my number one. I want this to be fun as a part time gig for me. If it stops being fun, and becomes a stressful job, I need to go back to my 9-5.

[@jaydubya4349]

You produce some good videos, this one was no exception. Thank you for the vote of confidence. I purchased my first BP in late 2019, just to have an exotic pet. I did my research beforehand, but the thing was, even though I knew enough, I continued watching videos like yours, my interest not fading. So, mid to late 2020 I purchased about 4, then decided to expand and purchased 3 more. I learned some more about breeding (again from youtube videos...many of them yours. Now I have 17 (all purchased with average weights of 100grams) and 3 months ago got my first pair to lock. I've enjoyed your videos as I've enjoyed watching my babies become adults. Thank you so much.

[@nataliesreptiles]

Awesome video. I bought my first "investment" quality ball python this summer. Took 90 days to pay her off before she got shipped to me. But now I have a beautiful female visual axanthic pied. Also have a female single gene axanthic. I love axanthic. Axanthic combos are gorgeous. If the market on ax pieds holds by the time she's big enough and old enough to breed I can get a het or double het male and see if I can create my own axanthic pieds. But if not, pieds still move pretty well. And if not, cool. I still have my dream ball python. My axanthic pied girl. I can just enjoy having her for a good chunk of my life.

[@OlympusReptiles]

Prices likely will not hold at what they are, but should hold decent. Double recessive is about the best thing for holding value

[@jbj161]

i love how real you keep it, you don't bullshit no one, just the motivation ppl who are looking into breeding need. I myself am looking into investing 1-1.5k and I'm confident, and this video has just boosted that confidence. Keep up these banger vids!

[@vicioustigris]

What you guys are doing at Olympus has helped us tremendously to get our feet off the ground and start building. Thank you so much for the information given and the down to earth attitude!

[@TroubledEmpath]

Im 1-3 years away from breeding depending on life. I always come back to reference Olympus Reptiles when I find myself dreaming up plans. Im thankful to have run across your channel so many months ago. I appreciate being able to hear your life experiences in the industry when im trying to set myself up with a good foundation.

[@chrissutton84]

Watching your channel was inspiring to me. I hatched my first 2 clutches this year and I lost the third cause I ran the incubator wrong. Starting small seems like the way to go for sure

[@OlympusReptiles]

Glad we inspired you! Keep going, 2 turns into 5, then 15 etc

[@coldbloodC]

Thanks man, I appreciate this is an older video but you have set my mind at rest. I appreciate the reticence to talk about money, I am exactly the same, but it is great to know that it is possible with a smaller investment. I am just starting out and will be happy to just cover costs for the foreseeable. Keep doing G what you do guys!

[@HectorGarcia-kd8gq]

I truly love when you make videos like this brother so much you teach me so much and you keep me on points for not making mistakes in life

[@dvlexotics2177]

I was also very lucky to have Kevin mccurley very close and he was very helpful he has always been my mentor and I'm lucky to be from New Hampshire where Kevin and NERD are located. And always had purchased my breeders from Kevin which gave me a slight advantage because of the nerd bloodline I could charge slightly more here. At the same time I also spent more money buying those nerd animals.

[@tyborg314]

I'm gettin ready to do this full-time with hognose snakes, got all my initial investments, socials, morph market, domain name, LLC, not a shit ton of money, maybe 20k, but I feel that's enough to get the ball rolling. I even learned photoshop and designed the coolest logo you've ever seen :). Not even kidding, its fire

[@piedintheskypythons1182]

Excellent information and in depth discussion. Covered so many important things to consider. I sincerely enjoy your video and look forward to them always. Keep up the great work!

[@robdiggler1958]

I have no idea how I ended up here but I just bought my first BP shes 2 months and in super happy and excited for with my new hobby, I totally see how this can make money, almost everyone that knows I have a snake has become interested in getting one, I cant wait to see where this goes

[@loriw2661]

This is solid advice for ANY business but it’s really important for the BP business because so many people have unrealistic expectations. When you watch videos of people who have paid their dues for years, you don’t see all the years of work that went into it prior to starting their U-Tube channel. To me, another VERY important part of starting any business is to really love what you’re doing. That way, working hard at succeeding is enjoyable enough that you can weather the stress that will be involved. I’m glad the U-Tube algorithm popped this video up for me to see. Definitely a new sub here!🐍❤️🐍

[@KidReptiles]

love this channel and your attitude

[@lauraholzler1417]

I love my hobby time. It gives me time to explore care ideas as I think of them.

[@Jason-de5pl]

I have to say this is one of the maot real videos out there about breeding. I remember early 2020 finding your channel to learn about ball pythons, how to breed and so on before i bought my first snake(a female to pair to the male my girlfriend has). 6 snakes total later last season i didnt produce. But since i overhead was so low it didnt hurt. This year i may get 2 clutches if my 2 breeding females produce. If they dont, cool they might next year; granted im definately joining to message around asking what im doing wrong if im still not producing eggs after 2 seasons one was a female i bought as a virgin and a proven female.

[@Jason-de5pl]

But granted beibg on the low cost start you have alot to learn but our resources we have to learn and the practical expirience we get is a challenge. Online there are questions i have that have no answers to them at all

[@traciscott4377]

In the beginning I started with adult normal females and a couple super males with at least 100% het for something. I've since passed along most of my normal females to invest into visuals and or hets with complete and or incomplete traits. You helped me through the craziness of my first rack and incubator systems. Btw.. he never did compensate but I was able to replace and modify to work nicely. Your my first introduction into ball pythons,breeding and keeping. Business aspects and more. Cant wait to someday get over your way and out whiskey sample you. Lol

[@OlympusReptiles]

Hell yeah!

[@SnakesandDoggies]

Look at these comments man! Everybody loves you! Personality man! Cannot be understated! 5 Stars all day!!!!!

[@khmerViper]

How many snakes do you need to start with? I always wanted to do this. I had to ball pythons 20 years ago they got sick and died. 7 foot Reticulated Python my and my 3 foot albino reticulated, larger ball all died So like you said they can die…

[@BlackLabelMorphs]

That is the best video I have seen thus far. Great explanation on how to approach getting into this. Straight up. Great job.

[@Dragospythons101]

Now that I think 🤔 of it my uncle’s mom’s daughter ant 😅gave me all my Ball pythons so I was free for me good video bro 💯 very good info 🤘🤘

[@danaboehler2179]

Great video, super helpful, and I appreciate your candor. Thanks guys!!

[@nathanmezick2698]

I planned on starting slow, a super banana het clown male or a super banana enchi het clown male and then a series of females (mojave clown, yellowbelly clown, etc) that don't include banana to ensure that I am guaranteed all regular bananas whilst working on the clown project.

[@Certifiedexoticpythons]

Love this video this explains a lot and should take me a long way .

[@robinbudd6784]

Great video. Some really good straight forward information

[@BDMorphs]

Bro!! Great video! Small breeders like myself needed to see one like this!

[@zackwagner9665]

I’m late to the party and just watched this video. We are starting a family breeding operation, my parents put in about 30k and I put in about 17k over the first year breeding. This does not include the profit from the first year. That being said we found deals that would help us and we used to leverage the hatchlings to be able to trade and continue growing. For example we bought a pastel spotnose pos het vpi female for 200 bucks off a guy who attempted breeding and couldn’t hack it. We made het clowns and traded pastel spotnose het clowns for banana black pastel het clown and a ghi chocolate het clown. I then took the jump and bought a pastel red stripe spotnose clown. He alone will be able to bring the initial investment with one hatchling. I think it is very important for people to realize the difference between a pet and an investment. Along with being able to have a stable business model. Pieds and BELs sell pretty consistently for 300-500 bucks which positive cash flow. It also allows the breed to be able to have cash flow and be able to invest in the higher end stuff while making ends meet

[@State48TurtleTortoise]

Yo first video I have seen of yours. Very easy to understand and follow. Im looking to get into breeding ball pythons and would love to chat with you sometime!

[@miranda52]

I love you brother take care of your snacks I love that axantax storm trooper and in all honesty you Saturday at 55 Seconds into the video it is about money and I hope you take care of your family and help others with that extra money Christ is my king and I hope he is yours good luck brother keep them coming

[@jpiceno76]

I have a banana one just like the one on here. Nice!

[@htx_carlos4766]

I just purchased my stud male for 600 gonna buy 2 big normal females looking at about a grand for animals alone I wanna spend 1.5 to 2 k hope fully it pays off

[@shaegooden6767]

Keep it up !!!!

[@randallbatson611]

I got a giant spider sugar yellowbelly and a male pure candy the real one het pied its what i got so its what im doing this year best ill get is a spider + thats het candy ill raise and breed back maybe i get a spider candy but i dont think ill make any money

[@dvlexotics2177]

First 3 years I bred I did normals made an initial 300 investment 100 for 1 female 150 for another female and 50 for a male all purchased as adults. My 4th year I bought a female pastel and a male spider both from NERD with money from the first 3 years I believe that was a 1500 investment it was a while ago when pastels and spiders were still valuable. Then worked my way up over the years but my first initial investment was 300 bucks so it can be done..

[@zippedmouthgaming5637]

Sitting at 18k invested over 3 years learning the business before I ever put a male in with a female, and I'm expecting my first eggs ever in 2022. Thanks for videos like this that keep me focused as things pick up speed for me.

[@KYKonstrictorsandExotics]

I most definitely agree with you. One can only better theirselves. And I will add one thing. U can only get out what you put in. Ur not going to make a $1000 animal with $10.00 snakes. Just wont happen. Quality makes quality

[@OlympusReptiles]

Yes it does.

[@kevincameron6870]

Lmao your hilarious, I love your videos lol thanks my man.

[@Red-357]

I feel starting small there’s more sense of pride.

[@itzzmisf1782]

me and my wife are planning on investing more into this hobby and breeding. and i came across your video and yours out of all these others i have watched has helped me more than anyone else. (on the buisness aspect) so thank you.

[@Bangingu]

I believe I will have my first clutch by next year and was wondering how do I get people to buy where starting out ?

[@OlympusReptiles]

Just market. FB groups, etc

[@thehuntress8895]

So what projects would you suggest a beginner getting into? my wife and i want to start with clown morphs.

[@willcountydrone2022]

Great Video Ty!

[@jacobzimmerman7515]

I’m just starting to grow my collection for breeding, how do I find out at what point I need a business license/when I need to report my earnings for taxes?

[@jimiwilliams7176]

Great video starting at the bottom is a better learning curve as you grow you learn thats what iam doing got a few visual males in different recessive genes to make my own hets a couple of 2 or 3 gene males and single and double gene females in all the must have genes spotnose . phantom. yb od ghi and the pastel Mojave lesser and a couple more but you get the picture and a visual orange ghost so i can make combos and hets at the same time to move on with the plan i set out got really good quality animals from great breeders and i have sat on them from babies till this year and 4 of my first females i got are ready this season so fingers crossed but great video on a great subject

[@jimiwilliams7176]

Cheers buddy love your videos you cover great topics

[@breahnawooten6034]

I come to this video because my friend and i are going in half’s same as y’all. I have an albino male already and she has a female pied. My question is how many females is best to start off with with low investment and what’s the best equipment to use?

[@OlympusReptiles]

3 females to 1 male is solid. Racks are best

[@gratitudereptiles9220]

Love your video so much brother 💪💪💪💪

[@christopherbelles6947]

Love it. Thank you

[@vincimusclaro1271]

4:42 bro sounded like Andrew Tate 😁

[@StayUpNeverDown]

I had someone saying I cant start with a lower investment and I need a facility( other than my home) to breed at. Can't lie it was discouraging. I have a all white super fire female. I need a pastel het vpi Axanthic het clown male.

[@OlympusReptiles]

You definitely can. I am living proof. Started with nothing, and no direction. Grew in a way I decided to change my direction a couple years ago to pick up the pace. To start doesn't take a ton of investment or a facility. But it will take some grit and perseverance.

[@Knmso]

south park will just make an episode of you. 😂

[@vmdwhoxo]

Subscribed! 🙏

[@GabooNx]

Investment quality animals question who buys them breeders or the hobbyist? My boys and are starting a small breeding colony as I have most of the equipment from when I was younger.

[@TUFFGUY44]

in my experience you will sit on investment quality animals for a long time if you have no name in the industry. Pet grade stuff moves alot quicker.

[@OlympusReptiles]

Both will sell. More expensive may take longer.

[@lygexotics6380]

Love the business videos

[@RisingSunSerpents-Jesus]

What kind of racks are those

[@jessjay42jw]

Great video

[@FlexinPythons]

I will say your 10k investment together is less risk the more snakes you buy in a way depending what you do with them all compared to someone that invests that 10k in just 3 females and a male…

[@abrahambracamontes3070]

I just invested 2k i got a banana mojave 2 het pies 100% albino and pastel with a bunch of enclosures i’m 18 and my 2 friends who invested with me are 18 and 16 can you give me advice? i want to start breeding

[@OlympusReptiles]

Read, watch, learn as much as you can from multiple sources (never follow just 1). Then get breeding. Also, with your partners have a specific plan, with specific responsibilities. And written out how bills/income will be handled. Investing in start up businesses with friends can destroy that friendship if not done openly

[@bobsloan9930]

I spent 4K and got Black pastel pieds, Super Black pastel Scaleless head het pieds, Cinnamon and a Scaleless

[@cathysayle]

Is there a reason you don't do this in your home or is it just a case of not having the room in your home?

[@OlympusReptiles]

I started there, buy out grew it.

[@whitewidowexotics5531]

Going from 1 clutch last season, to 7 clutches this coming season

[@smokinpot]

I got a question can brother and sister ball pythons breed

[@whitewidowexotics5531]

@@smokinpot happens a good bit in the wild, as long as your not inbreeding through generations it should be fine

[@thisislargemouth5566]

I'm not even trying to make any money off this i just want to make baby snakes in small quantities. I'm thinking about getting a single nice male and 3 or 4 different females just to see what I can come up with.

[@Danielle42000]

What a great and informative video! As someone who wants to start breeding as a hobby very slowly 🐍

[@roy4104]

What happens to snakes that are hard to sell and you don’t want in your collection? Are they killed? Fed to larger snakes? What’s the industry standard?

[@OlympusReptiles]

I have never had an issue selling any.

[@roy4104]

@@OlympusReptiles good to know

[@tpapadukes1529]

Great informative vid as always guys

[@benjismith593]

Should I get a normal female or male for my first snake? Would like to dabble in breeding. But this will be my daughters' pet. Is there a market in breeding normals?

[@OlympusReptiles]

Not a large one no, but if wanting a normal first, go female

[@TJHutchExotics]

I think a lot of people do not realize how important proper husbandry is. We’ve made mistakes- learned more- and more, and now I feel confident that I can properly have clutches and raise them.

[@dvlexotics2177]

I started 15 years ago with a pastel and a spider making bumble bees back then they were still worth a bit of money. And I used nerds version of pastel and a nerd spider. 2 years after that first clutch I bought a albino and a super pastel het albino both as adults then the year after I bred a son back to the mother to make super bees and had some pastel albinos and from that point on I bought atleast 1 pair every year till about 2 years ago when I had to sell almost my whole collection due to the death of a child. I'm planning to start up again next year and would like to maybe work with sunset but it seems alot of people are working with sunset and I'm afraid to invest and have them tank because too many have been made. What do you think is going to happen with sunset do you see the price going way down?

[@OlympusReptiles]

I see the price of every expensive snake coming way down, it is just a matter of how long it takes. Hell, they already are way down from where they started. Just because they will drop more doesn't mean it is bad though it is just normal. Being recessive does make that drop take longer. Really sorry about your son, but welcome back to the hobby

[@dvlexotics2177]

@@OlympusReptiles thank you when it comes to the business side of the hobby you seem very knowledgeable and your opinion matters. So I appreciate the reply and it was my daughter that passed away but thank you.. also I'm more excited to return to the hobby now than I was when I got into the hobby 25+ years ago took me a bit to decide if I wanted to even breed back then. Now it's all I wanna do I love it I love the hobby the people in it and as long as it's always fun I'll continue to stay in the hobby. I can say I was very lucky to be so close to NERD back then although Kevin was a bit more tight lipped back then he still taught me pretty much every thing I know about ball pythons.

[@heliumhubcryptocollective9337]

my cats breath smells like cat food

[@Armiyana]

Mark and Kim Bell are another example. Their companies Artic Mice and Reptile Industries were also hit with a big salmonella recall. But they had a huge name in the reptile circles prior to that.

[@markdohmen6087]

good video!

[@vipmorphs3977]

I done it the same way it can be done, absolutely

[@gabagool1992]

the black and white one is beautiful

[@dylan251]

I bought a 12 bin rack and a 12 snake collection with a bag of frozen rodents off Facebook with my stimulus check. I think it was a fantastic decision

[@crazyballpythongenetics4838]

some one his brother's uncle's cousin that was married to his cousin had a free breeding opp haha i almost choked in mij food 😆LMAO 💯🔥🐍

[@BrunoGenovese]

Think you need to consider of getting a job raising breeding snakes is much on the oddball side..

[@OlympusReptiles]

Is it though? Lots of people do it, so it isnyas odd as I thought it would be. Breeding snakes probably doesn't make the top 10 odd things I have done lol.

[@jessjay42jw]

Great Example

[@bornpsychopath2996]

Good video

[@pythonpatrolexotics]

I've invested about $5k so far, and I definitely didn't get anything cool. But I think I can build, and I know it's going to take about 5 years before I actually make money

[@joshscritchfield693]

I need someone to help me I had a friend that was breeding but he got out of it pretty quickly!

[@shio9201]

I was about to upgrade my 2001 car to a 2013 but then I decided to invest it all into these danger noodles

[@steveparker9963]

What kind of racks are those?

[@OlympusReptiles]

Tgr. But they are closed

[@bobsloan9930]

I spent 1500 on 1.0 black pastel pied and 0.2 black pastel 100% het pied

[@SpiritURall]

Shit ton of money, very appropriate. Starve and breed !!!

[@amymoak9182]

#1 :)

[@cheesypooo6838]

First!

[@FlexinPythons]

My brothers uncles cousin who was married to my other cousin who found 15 ball pythons when he was doing something and it was free for him… you know… the norm You may not be a millionaire… but that purple hat and shirt got you looking like royalty tbh 🤴

[@Anderson88G22]

Both of you were freshly single at the same time? Do you and Kurt have something to tell us?

[@OlympusReptiles]

Lol, little different times. I had met my new wife when his divorced happened. Maybe 2 years apart? When mine happened he was still married.

[@SnakesandDoggies]

lololololol!

[@goddess2k]

Is your room temperature controlled or some sort of heating system? I just hope you aren't just letting them freeze.

[@OlympusReptiles]

The room is controlled by the house thermostat, with supplement heat when needed. Also, every tub has its own heater on thermostat. So they are not freezing.

[@goddess2k]

@@OlympusReptiles I wasn't being rude just asking, thank you!

[@goddess2k]

@Frank Castle sorry I have curiosity and care and ask and you don't. Sit down little boy.

[@hyperspacereptiles977]

@@OlympusReptiles What do you keep your room temp set at?

[@houseofinvertebrates2869]

"One million dollars, for Ball Pythons. "

[@kennethandrew3709]

False…. It was actually my brothers girlfriends uncles wife’s brother who took 15 ball pythons because his best friends grandmas cousin was into ball pythons.

[@mangothebeardie83]

WHY ARE U HOLDING BALL PYTHONS LIKE ITS ACTUALLY A BALL!?!?! YOUR LIKE GRABING THERE FACES!?!?!

[@OlympusReptiles]

You mean when they are balled up? Nobody is grabbing their face, though I have. Especially for medical reasons. But pretty sure I know how to hold my balls

[@blackdong4footwangnosucky]

URDum

[@MaddogBullyz]

But I also breed french Bulldogs and albino pythons geckos

[@MaddogBullyz]

Aslong as you buy a 2 snakes and 2 vivariums you can start doubling your money from that point on

[@MaddogBullyz]

Just like any profession the people who been in it for a wile over complicate it 😂

[@MaddogBullyz]

Last comment everything has risk I can tell you how risky life is your not getting out of it alive so just DO IT