Hognose Pair

This is a question for all of the hognose breeders on the forum. I am thinking about purchasing a pair of Western Hognoses later this year. Do you guys think i would have more success selling high end hognose babies or more low end stuff like normals or low end hets. This will influence the morphs of hognose I purchase later on. Obviously, the snakes matter more than the money, but I would prefer to be able to sell some babies instead of having to keep them all because there is no market for the hognoses I produce.


Thanks,
Connor

"Low" end animals (normals, "albinos" and maybe red/green phase) are always easier to sell simply because the price point is lower, opening the animals up to a wider audience. I produce colubrids "worth" anywhere from $10 dollars to $2,000+ dollars every year. The less expensive ones are FAR easier to move at or near market price. For higher end animals I often must to sell them cheaper (behind the scenes so as not to crash the market) than the breeders with big names. Such is reality for a hobby breeder. If my price is the same as Brian Barczyk or Don Soderberg, few people are going to buy from the guy they haven't heard of.
One thing I do sometimes find though, is it can often pay off to feed the high end animals for a year or two. If they are approaching breeder size, you can usually get decent money for them, and they don't sap your profits like normals would.

Thanks a lot for the reply! I have decided on an Albino male and a 100% het. for albino female. Your advice makes total sense, and has helped me make my final choice on what to get. Thanks again,

Connor

Originally Posted by condor53

Thanks a lot for the reply! I have decided on an Albino male and a 100% het. for albino female. Your advice makes total sense, and has helped me make my final choice on what to get. Thanks again,

Connor

Not a bad decision at all... Are you getting babies or some that are a little older?

I am hoping to get 2011's. Do you guys know of any reputable breeders that will have decent prices? I plan on trying to purchase them at the NARBC Anaheim show in September.

Connor

If they are 2011's, they should certainly be well-started enough not to need to worry about. Those yearlings will eat you out of mouse and home! If at a big show, just do your homework on who will be vending, and see if you can get in touch with any of them beforehand. It's always nice to come to a show with snakes with your name on them waiting for you!

Thanks for the advice Chip! I picked up a 2011 female 100% het. Albino yesterday. She already ate a fuzzy mouse and is prowling aroung her cage. She is super tame and I can already tell that she will be one of my favorite snakes. Hopefully i am able to find nice albino male at NARBC.

Connor