my first ball python book

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

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Originally Posted by steveo

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

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that's a question i'd love to have answered by someone with both books who's read both books :please:

OVERVIEW:

Kevin's book is written in laymens terms. It has good information and good photos, but mostly focuses on the morphs themselves. (Great compilation of photos )

PROS: better descriptions of the combo animals than the Barkers book (IMO) Cheap
CONS: Not much on the animal itself, more on the care, breeding and morphs available.

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The Barker's book is more scientific, and goes into the history of the animal, the anatomy and physiology, physical characteristics, and much more. It has great photos as well.

PROS: Very indepth analysis of the animal itself, with photos of internal organs, more science. More in depth on behavior, etc.
CONS: Photos are just there, with description of the animal in the previous chapter, so you have to flip back and forth. Not a huge deal.. Rather expensive, but worth it!



SO, with that being said, if you just want a basic book about the animals, get Kev's book. If you want to know in depth about the chromatophores in the scales, get the Barker's book.

WooHoo! I ordered this book Friday morning, paid for Snail Mail service, and it arrived today! I wasn't expecting it until Friday or Saturday. I haven't even cracked open the box yet! :banana:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

WooHoo! I ordered this book Friday morning, paid for Snail Mail service, and it arrived today! I wasn't expecting it until Friday or Saturday. I haven't even cracked open the box yet! :banana:

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Git r done!!!!

-adam

I flipped through it at the herp show hear!! I thought I was in heaven! I really wish it was easyer to afford...its hard for a kid to get 80 dollars.:(

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Originally Posted by Adam_Wysocki

Git r done!!!!

-adam

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Holy Moly!! I think I may be MIA from the forums for awhile! :D

Come to think of it, we haven't seen much of Emilio since he got his copy on Saturday, now I know why! :P

I saw this book in Daytona, got to flip through it, but not sit down to really read it - it's even better than I remembered!

Justin - add it to your birthday wish list! ;)

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Originally Posted by steveo

I have the Complete bp book by kevin mccurley , how different is the barkers book? and is it worth having both?
i may have to order it anyway , you cant have enough books imo :D

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Oh yeah!! :nods:

I think both books are great!

I will say one thing - some of the husbandry methods practiced by the Barkers are a little different than what my personal experience with balls has taught me....temperatures, supplemental heating; read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Kevin's book just seems more in line with the way I've always thought of as the "right" way to keep them (even though we've found that there are many "right" ways to keep ball pythons).

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Originally Posted by elevatethis

I will say one thing - some of the husbandry methods practiced by the Barkers are a little different than what my personal experience with balls has taught me....temperatures, supplemental heating; read the book and you'll know what I'm talking about.

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Yup, I've already seen one example in the five minutes I've thumbed through it!