Well, I actually decided not to buy the cresties after all. Not that I didn't value all your recommendations, it's just that I decided not to spend so much cash on herps that I would find nice but aren't really on the top of my list. Since a reptile show is coming up and I want to make sure I hold onto as much cash until then, lol!!!
I still don't feel ready for a GTP yet, but I think some ackies may be on the horizon. Anyway, I might as well grab the Spanish Ribbed Newts since they'll only cost me $15CDN a pop, which is less than half their market value (they go for $25USD at east bay vivarium).
As for something that will be my true goal to breed, I'm looking to get some black african house snakes. They're simply gorgeous, black with blue irridescence shimmering off them. I once bought a wild caught one long time ago but despite treating it for parasites, and the fact that it ate, it didn't last. If I knew what I know now, I would have tried soaking it and keeping it in a larger enclosure with higher temperatures at the warm end of the gradient, but hindsight is always 20/20. Anyway, if any of you come across any black african house snakes, please let me know!
*EDIT* Guess what turned up at the top of the list in a +morph +"african house snake" search? http://www.ball-pythons.net/PNphpBB2...3-start-0.html