Future Ball Python Breeder

Pythons Ball Pythons
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Hello, I’m new to this community site here, and I’m looking to become a future breeder for small/medium size snakes. I’m a resident of San Jose, Ca, and my main for my future breeding hobby are Ball pythons and Western Hognose, yet it may only be BPs for now. I purchase my snakes from honest breeders from reptile shows & MorphMarket . I’ll be honest my oldest female I’ve raised since 2017 produced her first clutch of 5 eggs, laid on 7/13/2022 between 12am-6am. After telling good news to my folks my sister brought up a few very good questions that got me curious and wary. Mainly I’m wanting to ask a few Q’s from any breeders who have bred and produced ball pythons for more than 10 years:

  1. Is there a requirement to breed ball pythons in CA?
  2. Do they have to be captive-bred to be sold legally?
  3. Would I need a license of sort to participate as a vendor in future reptile shows?

Photo below of the proud mom and her first clutch of eggs

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Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your first clutch! I’m not a ball python breeder (or even a ball python keeper), but I am a reptile keeper who lives in California.

Ball pythons are not protected or restricted within the state of CA, so as far as I know, you don’t need any sort of permit or license to keep or breed ball pythons in California.

I’m less certain about your other questions. You can legally sell wild-caught/imported ball pythons in the state, though I don’t know if it requires any special documentation. I don’t really know anything about vending at expos, so I’m not sure what the process is for being able to sell in that context.

I’m sure some more knowledgeable folks will be able to give you better answers. I hope you enjoy the community!

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