Normal Variations

[Dagan]

So today I was at Petsmart and they had cut the reptile prices once again. The ball python up for grabs was marked $49.99. I glanced in at him and he is a very teeny thing. My guess would seriously be 40 grams, if that. What was unusual about him was that he had a very gray appearance. I asked to see him, and as I suspected, he was in shed. But beneath the shed he had a curious lack of pigment to his sides, which made him appear gray. I don't know if this is a health issue or just because he was so young.

Is there a way to tell how much normals will darken as they grow? Could it be an indication of poor health? Should I forget the teeny ball python with the bad shed? Hehe.

I think I may start photographing all the normals I come into contact with and try to categorize them by their variations. Perhaps someone has done this already. I have seen some wonderful "normal piles" photos. They can be very helpful in teaching just how different normal ball pythons can bee from each other.

[LeviBP]

It's probably nothing to worry about, especially with him being that small.
If he looks kinda dark, chances are he is an import. Normally captive bred normals turn out a lot brighter than the imports. Why? I haven't a clue. xD

Hope this helped your decision

[darkbloodwyvern]

take pics! Though in stores it is best to ask them if you can. They might not always want people to document their animals, for whatever reasons...

[rabernet]

It's probably nothing to worry about, especially with him being that small.
If he looks kinda dark, chances are he is an import. Normally captive bred normals turn out a lot brighter than the imports. Why? I haven't a clue. xD

Hope this helped your decision

LOL - my brightest normals are all captive hatched (imports).

OP - it's most likely health related. There was one at my local Petsmart that looked axanthic to me. She was drier than the others, and more lethargic than the others. She clearly was not well.

Based on the size of the one you're referring to - it's probably the same thing going on.

With mutations being so affordable these days, don't play Petsmart Lotto - just buy the mutation you like from a reputable breeder. And most breeders have all kinds of nice looking normal babies as well if you're looking for a pretty and healthy normal ball python.

[Dagan]

Honestly I have enough normals already! Though it did seem interesting.
Also, the employees will not let me photograph any of the animals, which I think is pretty lame! Oh well. I got a nice healthy normal ball python last night from an owner instead of an expensive pet store. : P I have never paid more than 20 bucks for a normal thus far.

[War]

That's bull of them not letting u take pics, I'm a ACO, I bet they been fined before, take a pic they can't stop you and if their set ups
aren't up to pare call your local Animal Control division
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