Rehoming a ball python. Is this a spider morph?

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...ibb.co/HD7VDR9https://ibb.co/HD7VDR9

I’m not great at identifying morphs and I want to be aware if I need to look out for a head wobble. Thanks.

Only one photo loaded for me, but, yes, it looks like it has the Spider gene.

If you are rehoming the snake, do make sure to note in the description that it has the 'Spider' gene.

If you are buying and looking for a pet, then you can turn the snake upside down (when examining it) and see if it takes 'too long' to right itself and/or behaves oddly (head/neck twist).

If you are looking at this one as a potential future breeder...then I would never even consider it unless the python breeder I was purchasing from has a established reputation for only selling quality specimens.

:)

Sorry I wasn’t clear in the title, I am adopting the snake from a friend, and that was the picture he sent me. I have no plans to breed this one (or any snake in the near future, I only care for a couple snakes as a hobby). He is at least 2 years old, and my friend said he may have a mild wobble when he’s scared, or after shedding. I plan on picking him up next week and I will try turning him upside down like you suggested. My main concern is making sure I give this little guy the best care possible.

I have two female ball pythons with the spider gene (mother-daughter) and don't have to do anything different for them regarding husbandry other than they never get a live feeder. They do wobble quite a bit when excited, like at feeding time, so their strikes tend to go everywhere except toward the feeder. I get the f/t feeder close enough to their noses so they can't miss it, and after that they're fine.

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Originally Posted by alohalemon

Sorry I wasn’t clear in the title, I am adopting the snake from a friend, and that was the picture he sent me. I have no plans to breed this one (or any snake in the near future, I only care for a couple snakes as a hobby). He is at least 2 years old, and my friend said he may have a mild wobble when he’s scared, or after shedding. I plan on picking him up next week and I will try turning him upside down like you suggested. My main concern is making sure I give this little guy the best care possible.

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If your not bothered by the wobble, it might be good to give it a home for life. If you are bothered, best not to only have it for a while then get stressed by the wobble and move it on again.
As long as its feeding, well cared for and kept unstressed it should be ok.

If husbandry is correct, wobble shouldn't be too severe to be an issue except in rare cases. It will be more severe with stress. It can happen in any ball python, not just spiders or other morphs specifically known for having it. My pastel enchi had it mildly with eating for quite some time, especially after upgrading her to her adult enclosure, though she appears to no longer do it enough to notice.

I have 3 spiders and a champagne. They all display wobble, although not severe. They corkscrew a bit if held and try to come "up" when they've lowered their heads, but once on solid ground there are no issues. They all are voracious feeders and all are fed live. And yes, they are all scheduled in future breeding projects.