Is this Spider any good?

[astoudt]

Hey all!

It has been FOREVER since I have frequented this site but I recently added 2 new snakes to my collection. I was browsing craigslist for enclosures and grabbed up a 5ft x 2ft setup (which unfortunately needed major reconstructions) as well as a baby male spider ball and a young male blood python, all three for $60! Seemed like more than a steal to me. Anyway I was curious what you all think about the spider and whether or not he is of any good quality? My intentions right now for him are not for breeding, just as a pet. But for future reference it would be helpful to know where he ranks in the quality category. I tossed in a photo of the blood as well so you all can tell me if I got as good of a deal as I feel like I did.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ash-sto...n/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ash-sto...n/photostream/

[Dermot88]

The Spider gene is a nice looking ball python. The only issue is that they are often known to have a genetic defect known as 'head wobble'. Some you will not notice it and others it will be obvious. This can cause problem when feeding. However i have a male Bumblebee (spider x pastel) which is my best feeder rarely misses a meal and has no signs of head wobble at all. If your keeping him as a pet then you eill just have to see how feeding goes and if he eats then all is well. Its if you look at breeding that there could be potential genetic defects that are more noticalble in the offspring than in your male Spider.

Also i see you bought a 5x2 viv. You did get a bargain i can say but be carefull as if you house a baby ball python in a enclosure too big this cause stress to the snake and he may stop feeding. Try it but if you have problems with feeding id buy a cheap plastic box and use that. My 340g female pinstripe does brilliantly in an 18ltr tub in the rack!

[astoudt]

Thanks! His wobble is barely noticeable so far! Also he is in a lil tub right now. The big enclosure is a project for later plans.

[T&C Exotics]

I think that is a great spider. Looks nice and reduced, clean pattern, bright colors... I like him. Great pickup.

[Pythonfriend]

the spider is looking good, thats how they are supposed to look like.

unfortunately nowadays the most perfect looking male spider may not be that interesting for breeding after all.

when you go for breeding, you need to invest in an incubator and a hatchling rack, need to be prepared for vet bills and to house and feed the hatchlings until they are sold, which may take a while. when you prepare and get decent equipment and dont cut corners, that means you will be several hundred dollars in the red before you even start pairing them. then, males are cheaper than females, and nice females that are ready to breed or proven breeders can cost a lot, even if its just a nice example of a single gene. so, for breeding, it makes sense to invest a bit more in the male, a few hundred, something in the lower 3 digits, and get something like a killer bee (super pastel spider) or spinner blast (pastel pinstripe spider).

so, yes, good looking spider, you could breed him, but for breeding, you would in most cases want him to be female, or have a good looking male with a few more genes instead.

[sho220]

That's a purty Spider...

[astoudt]

Thanks to all! He is a lil baby weighing in at 150 grams or less right now! Glad to hear he is a decent example of what the morph should look like.

[MonkeyShuttle]

Every spider is good


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