Het Lavender Albino vs Lesser

[bait4snake]

I'm at a bit of a crossroad...

I know that the long term future of the morph industry is in the most noticeable morphs to the general public... to people who aren't as into morphs as we all are. Morphs that pass the "laymen's test" will dominate (the "HOLY CRAP THAT'S AWESOME" test). The Albino, Piebald, and the purest of white Blue Eyed Leucistic come to mind...

I know that for long term investment a recessive morph is the best way to go, but they're slim pickin's these days, with the exception of the Lavender Albino. Also, the Lavender Albino, long term... how much will it differenciate itself to the general public to the regular albino (I KNOW what I just said is blasphemy to Lav Alb enthusaists, but it isn't like albino vs piebald, that's like WOAH!). Let me be clear, I LOVE the Lavender Albino.

Yet, the Lesser is codominant, and we know what happens with codoms... *makes flushing sound*... but it's still... I mean, come on, it makes a pure white snake with blue eyes! I LOVE LEUCISTICS.

I'm torn between buying a Het Lav Alb male and a Lesser male next year. They're both roughly the same price, and that just happens to be how much I can spend. I have many normal females for whoever I breed them to... and I know that with the Het Lav Alb I'd have to keep twice as many 50% Het Females as I would with the Lesser male (I can afford it)... and I know I can just do the other morph the next year...

I'm just wondering which would you do first. Think it through. I've thought about it too much, and taken way too much Advil...

[MarkS]

I agree with your assessment that when eventually selling morphs to the general public (ie: people who just want an interesting good looking pet and are not interested in breeding or collecting like a lot of us here are), the most important criteria will be the WOW factor. I don't see Axanthics or Hypos Covering that. I DO see Albinos, Pieds and Blue eyed Leucistics being more popular like you said. So, I guess if thats what you're looking for, you kind of answered your own question. Don't think of the lesser as being yet another co-dom, think of them as being het blue eyed Leucistics. While the lesser may eventually tank in price like every other co-dom, I think a good quality white snake will hold it's value longer. They really are eye catchers.

[J.Vandegrift]

Well, I bought both so I will suggest that. Lesser's are going to be even cheaper this season. My guess is they will be $500 or less by daytona. I am sure you will be able to pick up a het lav male and a male lesser in daytona this year for $1500 or less.The lavs still have a long time before they are at a price where the general public will be interested, but I do agree that when they eventually do reach the pet stores most pet people probably really won't care if they get a lav or a normal albino. IMO the best morph to buy into even after all these years is pieds. No matter how many there are out there they will always sell. This season I am hoping to make quite a few and I don't plan to start selling females until I have at least 10-15 visuals. My goal is to eventually have a whole rack full of pieds.

[Beardedragon]

i doubt they will be 500 or less by daytona( maybe at daytona, but surely not on kingsnake or something) but i do know their prices are droping. i say get what you like, im getting a lesser soon because i like them over pieds and albinos. I really do not think money you make off of them should be the biggest problem, i would much more prefer looking at and cleaning up after a lesser than any het. I think being het bel and a morph itself will keep their prices from not droping too low, but every morph drops somewhere along the lines anyways.

[West Coast Jungle]

At the end of the day I just buy what I like. I really don't think of future values. If you are gonna take care of the animal (clean poop)for the next 20-30 years you better enjoy that animal. So in other words get the one that puts the biggest smile on your face and you will never be disapointed.

I do agree with you, although Lavs are hot you have to be a BP enthusiast to appreciate them. Follow your heart not your wallet and you will be happier overall.

[JoshJP7]

My personal opinion lessers should hold their market value very well... They are key for sweet combo morphs like the kingpin and queen bee which are definitely eye grabbers. They make all morphs that much sexier so I say go with the lesser.

[eel88]

I am getting an albino after my vacation is up becuase of the obvious WOW factor. On the other hand i find the prices of the lav albino to be crazy as of now. In the end as stated above you have to get one you like. What if you put all this time and money into something and it wouldn't produce? Would you still be happy with your purchase. A lesser is a great morph. If your saying you have a lot of normals i wouldn't even consider a het anything unless you were buying a pair. Imaging waiting 6+ years just to find out you got scammed or they wouldn't produce i don't know about you but that would make me pissed. With a male you could breed him to all your females and hopefully be swimming in lessers in just year or two. I love co-doms and of course recessive do hold their value but you get your results faster the dominant way. I don't belive you could go wrong with the lessers first of they are drop dead beautiful by themselves. On top of that look at all the possiblities. In six years if all well goes well you could have the cream of the crop, the blue eyes luecistic. Wait it out save up and i garantee you will change your mind a bunch messing around with possible buys.

Good luck!

[J.Vandegrift]

In six years if all well goes well you could have the cream of the crop, the blue eyes luecistic. Wait it out save up and i garantee you will change your mind a bunch messing around with possible buys.

Good luck!

Why would it take 6 years to produce a bel from a male lesser?

[J.Vandegrift]

i doubt they will be 500 or less by daytona( maybe at daytona, but surely not on kingsnake or something) but i do know their prices are droping.

Most KS prices are over what the animals are actually selling for though. Last year in Daytona I picked up a sweet male lesser from one of the biggest breeders in the world for $750 without even making an offer. I just asked how much and he told me that price. I saw a few later in the show selling for even less. You may be right though, KS prices will probably still be above $500 next year but I think the actual selling price will be around $500. I did not buy my lessers thinking of money though. I want a white snake that is acually white. My 07 male is aready breeding 4 normals and 1 female lesser. I am really hoping that female lesser takes...

[Larry Suttles]

I think there is big difference between the normal albinos and the Lavenders the Lavenders do carry that WOW factor in my opinion but than again I'm obviously biased...lol

Normal albino


Lavender Albino


If that picture doesn't make you go WOW nothing will...HA

Ralph Davis's Picture and Animals
www.ralphdavisreptiles.com