Vanilla Ball Python - Opinions Needed!

Alright, so I am purchasing a snake from someone. They claim it is a Vanilla. The male weighs around 650 grams. I am looking opinions from people who have or have seen Adult/sub adult Vanillas in person. Is this a Vanilla???http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890ac9-c2e4-ba10.jpghttp://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890ac9-c30c-0ffb.jpghttp://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890ac9-c330-d6b3.jpg

Looks like it from here, but the colors of the photo are skewed enough to make it not 100% for me.

Flash would have been more helpful.

hard to tell with the colors the way they are. it has the head spot that is indicative of vanillas but alot of non vanilla balls also have it. it may also be a low grade pastel which does not command the smae prices as a vanilla male.
what color are the eyes? if they are green then i would put a vote at low grade pastel. could be vanilla if we had pics from a better camera or in better lighting.
adam jeffery
btw...even the breeders i know that breed vanillas have a hard time distinguishing them at times. may not have an answer unless you breed him.

I agree. It looks close but id have to see a closeup of the eyes. I have brass balls (vanilla/ black pastel) and theyes are just sick. They almost have a chrome look and they got that from my vanilla male who has crazy lookin eyes. But yea better pics would be great. Ive seen guys online selling vanilla lookin dinkers that i know arent true vanillas but they do look close so id be careful and know who your buying from. With subtle morphs id buy from reputable breeders that you know stand by their animals. The grwat price deal isnt always the great deal

Thanks for all the help. I'm leaning towards picking this boy up. If I get him, be on the look out for pictures!

I'm leaning heavily towards pastel. My vanilla male, along with most I have seen, do not have that much blushing along the back.

It could be, but I suspect pastel myself. He also appears to carry a "brown out" line. At least I think that's what I see in that pic of his side.

Gale

So I asked for some new pictures, they were taken with an iPhone outside. Also the guy says the eyes are dark with a slight gold tint.

Here are the new pictures...def not a pastel.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890a8f-9048-2c29.jpghttp://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890a8f-9054-81e9.jpg

Here's a belly shot...any more opinions are greatly appreciated.

http://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890a8f-9189-04d5.jpghttp://tapatalk.com/mu/a6890a8f-9197-c633.jpg

I went with the Fire gene first, but plan to get a female vanilla this year and have been doing some research. In my uneducated opinion I would say yes it is from the most recent pics. From my understanding the "reverse Micky mouse" head stamp and the blushing pushing from head onto neck on the sides are markers for vanilla. I would more then appreciate it if someone with alittle more experience with them would chime in, it would make me alot more confident when I go to purchase and produce vannilas in the future.

Doesnt resemble a pastel at all, Looks to be a vanilla but hard to say from the pics. There are plenty of normals out there with funky head spots.I would try to trace back to where the person purchased it from and then contact the breeder if possible. Heres a pic of my vanilla for comparison http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fb...type=1&theater

Looks like it could very well be a vanilla from the last pics, the persons rep selling the snake also helps make the decision a little easier IMO.

I've hatched more than twenty vanillas over the last three seasons and that picture looks like it could very well be a vanilla. They can be fairly variable. Some have quite a bit of blushing, and some have none. One thing to keep in mind is that vanillas look amazing right after they shed and there's no mistaking them. A few weeks later and they are not so bright. Right before they shed many of them look pretty normal. For a real treat, when you see a female vanilla during that breeding glow, you'll be hooked for good.

I would be inclined to say yes it is a vanilla from the head markings, overall colour and lighter (almost glowing) looking tail stripe, but it could also be a normal that looks like a vanilla so really it all hangs on how honest the seller is.