ACE OF SNAKES

The Difference Between Boa Breeders and Ball Breeders

By: Joe

Ball breeders seem to have the mentality of feed and breed. What I mean is ball breeders in general utilize the female to breeding size the fastest way possible to breed. While some have had success in breeding females just over the 1,000 gram mark, in my opinion the better option would be to wait. 1,500 grams seems to be the magic number but even passing that mark I feel it has it benefits. Take for example the first time mom vs a 3 year old female over 2,000 grams. The maturity and size of that female over 3 years old will yield a bigger clutch and the fertility of the clutch will be greater then that of a young mom 1,500 grams or smaller. Ball breeders however, do have a better eye for markers picking out old and new morphs to come. What ball breeders lack in patience they gain 10 fold in visual markers in my opinion.

What I am seeing as more and more boa breeder get into balls is the patience and not worrying so much on weight but on maturity. Boa breeders are way more patient in my opinion in this aspect and in the end, will have better litters and the life of the animal is not diminished whatsoever. I am seeing this more and more and even giving female balls a year off once they lay as well. Maturity plays a bigger roll in clutch size and fertility and boa breeders know this hence why it does not matter if they don’t breed right at 1,500 grams. Old time boa breeders that lack the small details on picking out the subtle visual markers for new morphs or morphs now make up for it with their patience and selective breeding practices.

My rant for the day. lol