Do you have photos of all your snake's parents?

[PeanutButler]

Just wondering what kind of papers and photo documentation, if any, you all keep. I got my vanilla cream from a very reputable breeder, but every time I asked for photos of the parents they said the snakes were busy breeding. They never did end up getting the photos to me, although they did say they would try. I think things just got too crazy and they weren't able to get to it.

Just curious if I've totally blown it in regards to breeding him now because I don't have those photos or records.

[Slim]

I don't have any pictures of my snake's parents. Breeding BP's isn't like breeding dogs. Not much in the way of pedigrees for snakes. As long as you can ID the gene or genes in the snake, your usually good to go.

[PeanutButler]

Thanks for the input. I wasn't sure if it was something people just like to have or not, but this does make me feel better.

[AntTheDestroyer]

I like to have photos of the parents of all my snakes as well, but like you have had issues getting them from the larger breeders. I am mostly interested in them for my knowledge. Except with my two 100% het pied females and my male coral glow. With these girls I was very clear that I needed pictures of the parents. I am not sure I will be breeding both of them down the line so a little extra proof will certainly not hurt. I really wanted pictures of the coral glow, but being from a larger breeder it didn't work out. Also he is a male maker and I plan on breeding him down the line. In your case with both genes being normal incomplete dominant there should be no issue.

[bks2100]

I could get some pictures of the parents, but to me it still doesn't mean much. I bought a couple het pieds at reptile shows for 50 bucks, I only have the breeders word that it really is a het pied. If they showed me a picture of a pied and a normal locked, that wouldn't make any difference to me. I figure they either are honest and telling the truth or they're lying and they could easily just show me a picture of some other pairing locked up.

With ball pythons I just don't see much of a need for it other than being thorough and making some people get the warm and fuzzies from it. It's only really required for animals like green tree pythons, panther chameleons, etc. where the hatchlings don't look like what they'll look like as adults. I guess I'd care more if there was a morph that changed significantly as the snake grew.

[Ax01]

it's nice, but not necessary. ihave a few pix of the parents of some of my BP's (lol some are here on the forum and youtube). personally, i just wouldn't buy an animal if i question its genetics, quality or breeder.

i think pix may be more important for certain morph lines to track lineage. i can't remember where, but ive seen playoff-style brackets tracking lineage, clutch and offsprings, etc.

[Albert Clark]

Well, certainly having documentation and pictures does go a long way. It's up to the customer to decide whether they really want it. But the breeder should have it at the ready and offer it as his standard practice. It's known as a "paper trail" and goes a long way in a court of law.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Do I have them for the snakes that I have bought? No and to be honest I don't really care that much about it, I care about what the individual I buy looks like not the parents (now if I was in the market for a trophy carpet python that would be different)

Do I provide them to people who inquire about my animals, yes if they ask I am more than happy to provide them a picture of the dam or sire that produced their animal.

[dkatz4]

My breeder sent me pics when we were discussing which of her animals i might like. When i picked him up she gave them to me printed with some info; they were fliers that she had posted when she brought him and his litter-mates to a show. I put them on the wall next to his enclosure - you know - in case he's ever home-sick.

(He's actually in her belly in this pic)

[EL-Ziggy]

I don't keep BPs but I do have extensive lineage information on my carpet pythons. I think a reputable breeder should have this information available.