Whatcha in it for?

[thegeckoguy]

Ok...for those of you who breed leos...What are ya in it for? Are ya in it for the joy and love of these wonderful animals? Are you in it for profit? Hobby? I know almost everyone is gonna say joy and love and passion for these animals but you know i really wanna know....And i dont mean to sound rude or anything like that but for you larger breeders-

You probably say its for the love of the animals but i mean seriously...who in their right mind would spend 1k+ on a gecko unless their plans were to breed and sell the offspring for profit? I do know that most breeders do not make a profit and some hardly even break even...but whats going through your mind when you purchase these high end morphs???

Like i said, i dont wanna sound rude and im not here to start an argument, im just curious.

 

[Euphoric]

I want a 500 dollar engima because I am love with the way it looks.
I plan to breed because its a hobby and I love leos.
Most breeders don't make a good profit, you dont see any of them living off it.
Profit just helps you say pay of your 500 dollar gecko and food.

 

[Stevie]

It's still my hobby and I enjoy the animals very much! I'm very thankful that the hobby pais itself (by breeding and selling the young) and that I am able to pay my lecture fee of it. Still, the love for these animals is my major drive!

Greets,

Stevie

 

[Baoh]

Profit. I also like them.

 

[jaredm3624]

I started with one leo as a pet, and then got interested in the whole breeding proccess. I guess the thought of profit came to mind, but that's not the reason. I was just interested in the process and thought it would be fun. It's easier to sell them off than to keep all of them.

 

[2.1SRR.YYC]

I want one of everything...no wait, two of everything and then I'll be content.
Oh, yah the money is a big part of it too!! It allows me to get one of everything, I mean two of everything!!

I'm building an ark...

 

[GeckoEcho]

It's mostly a theraputic hobby for me that get's my mind off of the everyday hard times in life.

 

[godzillizard]

I began because it just felt right--the feeling you get when you see a new life emerging from the egg...it makes me feel like all is well in the world. If you think you can make money in this industry, you're kidding yourself. There are sooo many large scale breeders, animals that you planned to sell for $500-$1000 at the beginning of the season, you probably won't be able to get $100 for them by the time your offspring are ready to be sold. If your looking to make money, small scale breeding of leopards is not the best way to go. You might be lucky enough to have the hobby pay for itself...in my opinion/experience. Just do what you love, and you'll never be poor

 

[thegeckoguy]

very well said

 

[acpart]

When I was a kid I wanted to breed parakeets and see what different colors I could get, but I never had the right combination of circumstances to allow it. Leos are a lot less messy, quieter and co-exist better with the cats. I have always needed some stuff to obsess over (in a healthy way) and this works well for me. It's nice to make a little money to offset the cost of feeders etc., and of course if someone told me I could make a bundle I wouldn't turn it down, but it's not an expectation. I limit myself in terms of how high-end I"ll go so I can sell geckos at a reasonable price.

ALiza

 

[godzillizard]

When I was 3-4 yrs. old, when someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I'd say: "I'm gonna be a frog farmer"

 

[fallen_angel]

It's mostly a theraputic hobby for me that get's my mind off of the everyday hard times in life.

Definitely agree on this one, I don't know how many times I was feeling down and depressed, but then went into the gecko room and handled all of the babies, and just felt so much better. Breeding and watching new life come into the world is just so beautiful and amazing. The experience alone is more than I could ever really express in words. It's a lot of work, but also a great enjoyment, and it's been really great becoming a part of a community of so many people that care so much for these animals. We've made really great friends through all of this, that we wouldn't have met otherwise. There's some profit made, but in the end it's spent on more gecko stuff So it really is just for the love of the animals and making connections with other people who share the same passion :main_yes:

 

[Gecko Euphoria]

Its theraputic for me to. I love my geckos. The emense beauty they Have and its very relaxing for me I have major anxiety and just taking care of them takes me away from the every day stresses of life and I love hatching new babies and just the excitmient of the not knowing part of waiting and wondering whats going to pop out,its like christmas as a child back when times were simple. The best part is the comradery you get with fellow hobbiests who share your same deep interest for herping. I love it! next to my family and hunting its the most important thing to me. Its a job you can be happy doing if its your job. You know something you dont dread doing every day like a regular job. Happiness is more important than all the money in the world.

It's mostly a theraputic hobby for me that get's my mind off of the everyday hard times in life.

 

[fallen_angel]

Happiness is more important than all the money in the world.

Amen to that!

 

[GeckoGathering]

why? Got more.

Amen to that!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gecko Euphoria
Happiness is more important than all the money in the world.

Sure I go along with these comments.... but I need to add I really do enjoy the money from selling car insurance too. But the little green guy is hard to resist and hey, what a cute voice....huh?

 

[Lena]

I love genetics and I love reptiles. I was interested in breeding reptiles and leos are easy to care for. I figured they would be the best to start with.

Now, it's also for the love and appreciation of the animal.

All I hope to do with the profits are to be able to fund my hobby (pay for food, new breeders, etc).

 

[shadowx362]

I do this because I wasn't aloud to keep pets when I was really young and when I was able to I finally do what I wanted to do It just was naturalLOL I am 15). It gives me something to do on days I am bored(most of the summer!!!) and on challenging days at school. I find that having something to look after and getting my mind of things has helped me focus on school more(not bored all the time!!!). Sure I did make a few bucks here and there, but I haven't spent one penny on something that wasn't herp related LOL. Most of my "personal" money goes to the geckos and the only reason I would want a job(this young) is so I could have more $ to buy more geckos :main_laugh:. The only thing I am restricting myself from getting this year and maybe next year is an Enigma, because I think there is to many of them already :main_rolleyes:

 

[rubym]

I come from a long line of animal addicts, lol. My dad breed hunting dogs for as long as I can remember. I don't like to clean up after bigger critters so what better to breed then geckos. If I can't sell my babies ( I didn't breed on an enormous scale and have already sold most of them).....i guess I just have more to love! They help keep me sane anyway!

 

[nevinm]

i only read a couple of the others, but ill throw my couple reasons in.

i dont just breed leopards, i breed all kinds of geckos and snakes, and my number one reason is the passion. reptiles are my favorite thing, when im depressed or upset or pissed i go into my reptiles room and start cleaning cages and i fell better. they really do make me happy, all of them, even if they try to eat me. if i ever start looking at animals as "product" i would force my self to get out of it, and only keep the animals that mean the most to me. number 2 reason is sometimes its just easier to breed the animals to get the really super expensive animal that i want. IE. amber whats a bumble bee ball python, last year they were $2500 and im still not willing to pay what they are now ($1500) so i got a pastel last year to breed with my spider, and i will have bumble bees this next season. and the third reason is money, and i dont mean to make money, but as long as im breaking even, and my animals are paying for them selves im happy. when you have as meny animals as i have it can be pretty pricey and the extra money doesnt hurt!

nev

 

[SonicKuz]

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