What to look for in Fires?

[ShockBunny]

I'm looking at a fire on Fauna being sold by someone without anything on the BOI. The snake LOOKS like a fire to me, but I'm still new at this. Is there anything in particular that I can look for as far as markers go? I'll be in the breeder's area next week, so it would be awful convenient to pick him up then.

[Domepiece]

I'm looking at a fire on Fauna being sold by someone without anything on the BOI. The snake LOOKS like a fire to me, but I'm still new at this. Is there anything in particular that I can look for as far as markers go? I'll be in the breeder's area next week, so it would be awful convenient to pick him up then.

Google an image of a fire ball python. But other than that they are lighter and almost vanilla in color with blushing, light heads, and many will have some banding going on.

[MrBig]

Fires have a reverse Mickey mouse head stamp and get lighter as they age. Most seem to have blushing that starts on the head and goes down both sides of the neck. Once you see one they are pretty easy to identify. Best of luck.

[FireStorm]

In person, it would be impossible to mistake one for a normal. They are much lighter, they have a light head, and a clear belly. Most of them have quite a bit of blushing and flames as well. I would post pics but I am at work and photobucket is blocked on this computer. If you look on my Facebook page, there's a pic of one of my hatchling Fires on my wall. The link is in my signature.

Hope this helps,
Shelly

[notm]

my two adult fires, light head, blushing and flames.

[ShockBunny]

Thanks everyone, that's quite helpful! Most of my BP morph experience is through photos online still. Hopefully I'll see more in person soon. I'll be going to the NARBC show in Arlington next February, hopefully I'll get to see tons of things live there. And maybe take a few home!

[Salamander Rising]

Fires have a reverse Mickey mouse head stamp and get lighter as they age. Most seem to have blushing that starts on the head and goes down both sides of the neck. Once you see one they are pretty easy to identify. Best of luck.

Is the "reverse Mickey Mouse head" you spoke of?



Here is more of the snake:







It was sold to me as a Fire but two local long-time, high end BP breeders say they would not consider it a Fire.
It was also sold to me as a male but both numerous poppings and probings by the same 2 breeders say it's definitely female.

I don't know what to think, anymore.

[twistedtails]

Is the "reverse Mickey Mouse head" you spoke of?



Here is more of the snake:







It was sold to me as a Fire but two local long-time, high end BP breeders say they would not consider it a Fire.
It was also sold to me as a male but both numerous poppings and probings by the same 2 breeders say it's definitely female.

I don't know what to think, anymore.

Thats a fire for sure. Looks like you might need to find some new sources of information. Doesn't sound like they really know what they are talking about. Have they asked to take it off your hands? If so, they might be trying to pull one over on you.

[fishboyUK]

I find the defining feature for me is that the edges of the black pattern look serrated and broken when compared to the smooth edges of a normal. I've never seen anyone else point this out though.

[Salamander Rising]

Thats a fire for sure. Looks like you might need to find some new sources of information. Doesn't sound like they really know what they are talking about. Have they asked to take it off your hands? If so, they might be trying to pull one over on you.

Nope.
Neither breeder would probably even take it for free.
Totally not interested.
[they've both got seriously high end morphs and aren't much into Fires, anyway, even though they both have a few of their own]

At least half of the mystery is solved.

Now I'm just not clear on the chromosome issue.....

Thanks so much for easing part of my concerns.

I am only really concerned because of possible future breeding plans.

The snake itself will always be a much loved pet, regardless of what "it" is....