2011 Breeding Season Underway

Anyone with an interest in breeding their reptiles or amphibians has probably now thought about getting this years breeding season going. Corn, King and Rat Snakes are now being paired and mated. Pythons, Boas are already laying eggs or waiting to give birth and many Iguanids and Agamids are either mating or laying already. Incubators at the ready.......we’re off!

But before we begin lets please take a look at what we’re trying to achieve. Last year we struggled with undersized and underweight hatchling snakes with what promised to be the latest and greatest colour morphs. Anything really new? Not really. We have seen the upsurge in interest in scaleless snakes and lizards. Leatherback and Silkback Bearded Dragons that require moisturizing cream when they are shedding. Scaleless Corn Snakes that invariably carry scars from poor shedding and difficulty in either a too dry or too damp environment. Is this the way forward? Are we creating freaks just because we can? I am a firm believer in working with nature. Nature never gets it wrong. A fully coloured Brazilian Rainbow Boa in perfect health is a sight to behold.

An Okeetee Corn Snake, A naturally occurring colour form, is a stunning snake that’ll have you looking back again and again. Perhaps this year before we choose our breeders based on the financial returns possible from crossing a ‘Hybino’ with a ‘Raptor’ or a ‘Lemon Bee’ with an ‘Albino Spider’ take a close look at the healthiest, brightest and most avid feeders in your collections. Make sure they are part of your breeding program and let’s put some life back into the weird and delicate creatures that we’ve spent too long promoting. I’ll back it up by being your preferential purchaser of ‘Healthy Normals’.

As long as they are reasonably priced, they will do so much more to promote the hobby than anything that has ‘het’ somewhere in the name. Take a look at the photos on this page. 'Healthy Normals' what beauties!