Is there a such thing as an inexpensive morph of a snake/leo?

[icygirl]

I'm going to a reptile show in a week and a half, and I would like to pick out some kind of morph if I can, maybe a BP or RTB. My boyfriend is interested in leopard gecko morphs also. Is there a such thing as an inexpensive morph? I'm in college and don't have a lot of cash. (If not I am still ok with normals )

[Monty]

there are plenty you just have to look round

[elevatethis]

For leos, there are a TON of different colors and types available for under $100.

For ball pythons, you can get a low-grade pastel male for $100 at a show. Expect to pay more for a better looking specimen, though.

[JLC]

I guess it all depends on your definition of "inexpensive"...as well as what kinds of animals you're interested in looking at. There are many, many different corn snake morphs that are very affordable, as well as a variety of other colubrids.

For ball pythons, you can often find pastels for a couple hundred dollars now. A bit more for spiders...but again, it all depends on what you call "inexpensive." Compared to a couple of years ago, pastels and spiders are VERY inexpensive.

I don't know enough about the boa market or leo morphs to comment on those.

[icygirl]

By inexpensive I meant $100 or less... preferably less I will have to look around when I get there of course, I was just wondering in advance so I won't be disappointed. Most websites I have seen sell color morphs for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

[elevatethis]

By inexpensive I meant $100 or less... preferably less I will have to look around when I get there of course, I was just wondering in advance so I won't be disappointed. Most websites I have seen sell color morphs for hundreds or thousands of dollars.

That's about right for most species, although the colubrid morphs tend to be very inexpensive in comparison with other species.

But don't get a morph just so you can say you have a morph. Find an animal that speaks to you, whether it be normal phase or selectively bred. Ultimately, you will be caring for it for its life span, so don't buy just any morph of any species just for the prestige of having something rare...that'll get old really fast especially if you really don't like what you have.

[Purrrfect9]

That's about right for most species, although the colubrid morphs tend to be very inexpensive in comparison with other species.

But don't get a morph just so you can say you have a morph. Find an animal that speaks to you, whether it be normal phase or selectively bred. Ultimately, you will be caring for it for its life span, so don't buy just any morph of any species just for the prestige of having something rare...that'll get old really fast especially if you really don't like what you have.

X2.
As for BP's, there's really not much that you'll be able to find under $100 except for some nice reduced/high blushing sub adults normals. Male pastels are generally in the $150 range. As for Leo's, there are several morphs available under your $100 limit. And as mentioned before, there are many many corn snake morphs available for under $100.

[SatanicIntention]

You might be able to get a het male, maybe albino or hypo for $75-$100.

I got my Bell Albino Leo female at NARBC in February, and she was only $25 from Letkeys Leos. Such a feisty, cute thing she is!

[jjspirko]

"Morphs" of ball's and boas are still quite expensive compaired to morphs of like corns and kings as others have stated.

Balls I assume it is because of the small clutch size so it takes longer to build up stocks of morphs in the hobbiest trade.

Boas I don't get, they through big clutches and breed really easy. I figure the market has to come down at some point. It happened with burms and retics it will happen with boas and balls too. Both have come down a lot already as Judy stated.

If I were you I would either

1. Stay on budget and look at normals but have fun look at LOTS of them, look for something that you like. Unique shades, patterns etc are on every snake just look for one you like. I have seen some BEAUTIFUL normal balls with cool markings. I don't own any yet but I have almost bought a few and it was always "normals" I have found the most beautiful.

On boas the same is true, there is nothing much more beautiful that a nice normal red tail, they are simply stunning.

2. If you want something unique like others suggested you can look to the colubrids. Amel Kings and Milks are really coo. Lavender corns are beautiful and they were well over 200 bucks a few years back you could now buy a pair under 100.

Just don't over look normals, to me the species and what it offers is always more important then the vanity of a morph. How many people have all types of morph corns and they are just jaw dropped by a "normal" Okeetee or Miami Corn? Both of which you can pick up at shows for say 20-35 bucks.

Same with boas! Look at a 6-7 foot adult Redtail and you just have to pause and think about how amazing nature is.

[elevatethis]

Boas I don't get, they through big clutches and breed really easy. I figure the market has to come down at some point. It happened with burms and retics it will happen with boas and balls too. Both have come down a lot already as Judy stated.

While the boa and ball market are only recently beginning to mature, I think the size of the market for boas and balls are considerably larger than burms and retics because, let's face it, most people out there, including seasoned keepers, don't have the resources/space/desire to own a 15-20ft, 150lb+ animal. Less demand = lower prices. Balls and boas are much more accessible to 'everyday' type people, and with a greater demand, the downward slope of the market to maturity isn't as steep.