How do you tell a Yellowbelly from a Normal?

All I can say is Dang. I know Carole, and I know her well. She is 110% legit, I also know the auction she speaks of, I was there. The yellow belly was bought from that auction by her, and I seen the whole thing. She is only selling this animal for what she was told it was when she bought it. I am no expert on ball pythons, but I do not see the difference in the pic that Mrs. Wong posted, and this one:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/27162...33952798YodHFL

Carole is no expert on ball pythons, and I am not either. Why don't you help her out Mike in understanding the differences, instead of trying to make out like she is trying to be a scammer? I mean this is a forum that helps others learn, correct?

Thanks Bobby. I realize I was a bit defensive at first but I really think I have a yellow belly here. Bobby saw it and so did several other people. They all commented on what a nice yellow belly it was.

I think people are arguing over "verbage" and such now. I really didnt mean to a)sound like the breeder of the animal or b) try to scam anyone. THAT is what really got my dander up. Gotta love the internet.

Carole

Quote:

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Originally Posted by varnyard

All I can say is Dang. I know Carole, and I know her well. She is 110% legit, I also know the auction she speaks of, I was there. The yellow belly was bought from that auction by her, and I seen the whole thing. She is only selling this animal for what she was told it was when she bought it. I am no expert on ball pythons, but I do not see the difference in the pic that Mrs. Wong posted, and this one:
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/27162...33952798YodHFL

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Hiyah Bobby! Good to see you here.

First off, I'm not married ;) Mrs. Wong was my grandmother.

Secondly, from the images that are on the ad, they aren't the best, which is why I asked to see some better pics of the sides and a full image of the animal.

From what I could see, it doesn't appear to be IMO.

Typical YBs have blushing up the sides, a mottled side pattern along the bellies, and don't have "yellow bellies".

THIS is a Yellowbelly...

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/P1070764.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/P1070765.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/P1070766.jpg

http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b2...s/P1070767.jpg

And it is a subtle morph to be difficult to distinguish in some cases, or else we wouldn't be having this debate.

The Hunters Guide to morphs may help you a bit more in being able to pick out Yellowbellies..

Hi, I used a substandard camera to take those pics because I was lazy and didnt want to fetch the good one. I thought it would be ok. I will try and take some in the morning. The snake ate today and I dont want to cause him undo stress right now. I will try and take pics like the ones you have there. I think he looks fairly similar.

Thank you,
Carole

i think yellow bellies are the most boring morph. its pretty much just like a normal.

Hi Heather,

OK, just uploaded more pics to
http://pets.webshots.com/album/559330207JYQSdN

Not sure if they are any better. I thought bouncing the flash would work but I think it might be worse. Let me know what you think. All the new ones have a purple background. He was very cooperative. In any case a very nice snake. :)

Thanks so much for looking,
Carole

Carole - IMO it's not a YB - tho there are more subtle lines it still lacks the basic coloring that is really predominant in even the subtle YBs - contact the breeder that produced it - perhaps they can give you more insight into why they thought it was a YB.

Good luck.

Hi again, here is what the breeder had to say about it...

I produced about 8 yellowbellies from a YB I bought from Mike Derks at whitewater reptiles, who bought his animal directly from Amir. It is not the best yellowbelly, but I am quite sure it is. I looked at the thread you are talking about. The Het male is 100% het albino that I produced. If you are interested in checking my reputation, go to Fauna Classifieds BOI and type Natures Spirit or Casey Hulse. The only way to prove out a "suspected" yellow belly is to breed it.


Carole

re:
Carole - IMO it's not a YB - tho there are more subtle lines it still lacks the basic coloring that is really predominant in even the subtle YBs - contact the breeder that produced it - perhaps they can give you more insight into why they thought it was a YB.

Thank you, the coloration thing is what I have been wondering about since I saw Heathers posts. I truly thought I had one.

Thanks again,
Carole

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nate

I have no issue with you, or anyone for that matter, telling it like it is. The community needs more of that, HOWEVER, there certainly are better ways to approach a topic without coming off as a virtual bully, so to speak.

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Understood. Sorry.

Mikey

Carole has provided some great info.

Which I think speaks a lot to how necessary it is to detail such specifics in the beginning. Something that is good to know for all of us.

Where the animal came from (who bred it, how it was acquired, etc.) and what the genetics are (i.e. YB x Normal parents).

Also, it is a good lesson regarding what kinds of questions CONSUMERS need to ask when inquiring about any animal.

Bruce

Well guys, I trust Casey, he is 110% good guy and has never been a bit shady on anything. If Casey said he bred it, and it is what he says, then that’s good enough in my book. Casey is not a fly by night breeder and I have always had the utmost respect for him, I will not question this animal as to being exactly what it was advertised to be any longer.

Thanks Casey for clearing that up, and thanks Heather for trying to help me understand the differences.

I believe I produced the ball python in question.
He hatched from a Amir line (sires sire produced by Amir) yellowbelly x normal. 3 of 7 were yellowbellies.
This one was not the best of the bunch, but as with pastels and other morphs, they vary quite a bit in quality. I've had several people who have been breeding and producing yellowbellies for longer that I confirm that it was indeed a yellow belly.
I donated this animal to an auction to help the local herp. society and assumed anyone bidding would examine the animal and bid if they agreed it was a yellow belly (I was not present at the auction).
Knowing the sire was an Amir Line yellow belly should remove some doubts. Picture can be posted if needed. Thanx Casey

Thanks Casey for helping us out here. I was there when Carole bought them and I don't think there was any question as to her getting them there. I do think she got them to help the auction, as it was going to a good cause, and not to breed them or keep them. She in turn put this one up for sale and that’s when it all went south. I have known Carole for a long time now, and I knew she would not try to scam anyone on any animal and I seen the auction take place. I did not know they were your animals, I was probably running my mouth when that auction started. But now that I know you bred it, I have no doubt as to what it is. Thanks for coming here and clearing this up Casey.

Thank you Bobby. I was looking forward to finally meeting you at the MidWest Symposium, maybe we'll make it down to Daytona next year.

I was looking forward to meeting you as well. I will be back up there next month, I will be the guest speaker at the MSH meeting on the 21st, if you get the chance come by there, it would be awesome. Maybe we can all go grab a bite after the meeting.