Help a newbie out pretty please!

[RoseyReps]

Wasn't sure if this should go in morphs or pics, so feel free to move it if need be.
Ok, so I'm looking to bring home a hatchling female lesser in August. My concern, is Lesser's lighten with age. I have no idea by how much. I'm worried that I will end up picking one that stays darker than I'd like for future (possible) breeding, and my personal taste. I'm really liking the lighter, brighter adult lessers with reduced pattern. (Busy's are pretty too, but I'm leaning towards cleaner pattern right now) Pattern wise, I know what I want, and I know I won't have a problem deciding. The color is what keeps me scouring the internet. How much do they lighten? I would love to have some of you post some hatchling -> adult pics of the same lesser's. So I can get an idea of what color I should shoot for in a hatchling. All the ones I've seen for sale seem so dark compared to the gorgeous adults I've seen here. So, if any of you happen to have some baby pics and adult pics of your beautiful snakes (pattern doesn't matter!) I would be forever in your debt! Thank you either way, you guys & gals have already been helpful beyond dreams!

[iCandiBallPythons]

Google images is your friend

[Daybreaker]

Most lessers will lighten significantly with age; I don't think I've seen any really dark lesser adults (that I can recall). So if you're looking for a light lesser I wouldn't worry: just find a baby with the pattern you like and if it's already really light I'd take that as a plus. Sorry no personal pics of any lessers but my bf has one and so far he is lightening up really well and started as a darker deep golden baby.

[RoseyReps]

Google images is your friend

Thanks for the reply, but sadly I cannot seem to track down many pictures of hatchling to adults. (of the same snake) I can find plenty of hatchling pictures, and adult pictures, but I really wanted to see how the specific snake changes over time.

Daybreaker;
Yea, I guess I'm just over thinking it. I have seen pics of less than ideal lesser adults that just look...meh. Oh well, no reward without risk Thank you for the reply! I appreciate your time and effort.

[Slim]

Go find the Lesser hatchling that strikes your fancy, and I bet you a dollar to a doughnut that it will grow into an adult that suits you.

[satomi325]

Ask to see the parents of the chosen lesser. Thats the best and closest thing you can do when buying a baby.

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[DooLittle]

I have a butter, which is basically the same as a lesser. We have only had her 4 months though. I can post a pic from a few months old, but she's not grown yet. So I don't know if that would help you. Rob has a nice looking lesser, but I haven't seen him around as much lately. Maybe he could post some.

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[RoseyReps]

Indeed, that would be the best bet. I'm hoping to pick one up at the daytona expo though, so I doubt the breeders will be carrying photo's of the parents with them ( I can hope though!). I think Slim is right, when I find my girl, I'm sure I'll be happy with her no matter her adult color. I'm just over worrying myself at this point New mom worries....oye.

Edit: I always love to see pics of butters/lessers The more the merrier. I can't get enough of them Feel free to show off your butter!

[Sprinkles]

I think how they look as babies really hints at what they'll look like as an adult. When I went to get mine, I was looking for the type of lesser you like: bright and with a reduced pattern. But when I saw this little girl, I fell head over heels in love. She was a darkish, high contrast baby, and as she grew she did brighten a bit. But she's still very much a high contrast lesser, as opposed to one of those that are really pale and washed out.

Here's a pic of her a month or so after I got her. She's around 80 grams here:


And here's the most recent picture I have. She's just under 2000 grams. Sorry it's a group shot, but she's obviously the one in the middle:


So I guess what I'm trying to say is, it's great to go in knowing what you're looking for, but don't be afraid to get the animal that really strikes you the most. Hope that helps!

[RoseyReps]

She is beautiful! Making a decision at the show is going to be torture. .lol I want them all!