Life as a Snake Breeder

On the outside, it looks like any other house in a college town. A worn pathway leads up from the crumbly sidewalk of Meador Street, to the front of a small red brick house.

Inside the house, alongside the living space decorated with a large cat tree and a dog bed the size of a football player, a small, quiet bedroom is located. Visible even from the front door, two large racks of tubs occupy the walls, this is no ordinary house.

Inside each tub resides a snake. William “Billy” McWhinnie shares his bedroom with nearly 50 snakes, each one labeled by genetic morph, given name and feeding schedule. Billy has been breeding snakes for three years now, having purchased his first snake two years prior, in 2014.

“I wanted to have my own business, and breeding ball pythons was just something I was really interested in … I wanted to do better for the animals and figure out what the best way was for them to live their lives in captivity,” Billy said.

The day’s routine begins with carefully sliding each tub from the rack to check on his children. Scanning each enclosure, Billy provides water and fresh bedding to each animal that needs it. He smiles as he lifts each python, letting their long bodies wiggle as they wrap around his arms and shoulders.

Removing a new tub from the rack, Billy glances at the extra dates scribbled in black, decorating the side. With steady hands, he lowers the tub into view, admiring the full gown female resting inside. As he rotates the tub, it is clear this snake is not just full grown, but also pregnant. This female is one of nearly 30 snakes Billy uses for breeding. Taking care of these snakes is more than just a hobby, it’s his job.

“My favorite part of breeding snakes is doing maternal incubation," Billy said. "Unlike most breeders, I actually let a few of my females keep their own eggs. I think that giving my snakes the opportunity to be naturally motherly is really beautiful to see."

Once these babies hatch, Billy will continue to take care of them during their early weeks to ensure their health and strength before selling them. Caring for the animals is always top priority.

“I’ve seen animals mistreated all my life, not even intentionally, but just because people are misinformed ... I think informing people about what you’re selling is equally as important as selling it, if not more,” Billy said.

One of his customers, Megan Haas, bought a pastel ball python from Billy in November. Even being a first-time snake owner with little knowledge going in, Haas says she has confidence in her ability to maintain her python’s health and happiness for many years, thanks to Billy’s teachings.

“Outside of getting to see my animals care for their eggs on their own, my second favorite thing is seeing someone who has just now learned about what they’re doing just being really happy and truly knowing that their animal is going to be taken care of, because they are educated properly,” Billy said.

In addition to breeding snakes in his home, Billy also works to educate people about animals as the manager at Pet Supplies Plus. One of his coworkers, Mattie Simmons, who has a ball python of her own, is inspired by Billy’s knowledge about animals.

“There’s always something going wrong at the store that Billy always has to fix, and in turn teaches us about," Simmons said. "I’ve learned about humidity settings, the benefits of plastic over glass enclosures, and also the correct substrate to use.”

Billy prides himself on his passion for the proper care of animals, seeking to share it with everyone from customers at the store, to the new owners of the pythons he raised himself.

“That’s one of my favorite things, just showing people the right way to do it," Billy said. "At the end of the day, I don’t even care if I make a dollar, I just want my snakes to be taken care of when they’re out of my care. That’s what’s most important to me, as it should be for everyone.”

March 24, 2019 | By Katherine Fish