1st. snake decision. Pastel or Spider?

Howdy all. I'm getting closer to acquiring my first BP. As of now I'm torn between a Pastel and a Spider. Which ever one it is, I want it to be a male due to wanting a slightly shorter snake. I know, there are big males. Only plan on having one (Ha! I say that now!). Just thought I'd throw that out there. :salute:

i say bumble bee lol. Just get the best of both worlds:gj:(or even better a killer bee)

as far as a pet I think spiders have a more striking appearance over a pastel

If you decide to go with a spider, make sure you're able to deal with the possibility of it having a wobble that could require some assistance when feeding... My spider's wobble isn't nearly as bad as some of the ones i've seen, she only really shows it when shes eating and she looks like a doorstop wobbling all over the place trying to get the last bit of the mouse down. If you're able to deal with an animal that looks a little drunk sometimes and is all over the place. I vote spider.

Spider! A reduced one with high white sides and a nice gold complexion!

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Originally Posted by PiercingPrincess

If you decide to go with a spider, make sure you're able to deal with the possibility of it having a wobble that could require some assistance when feeding... My spider's wobble isn't nearly as bad as some of the ones i've seen, she only really shows it when shes eating and she looks like a doorstop wobbling all over the place trying to get the last bit of the mouse down. If you're able to deal with an animal that looks a little drunk sometimes and is all over the place. I vote spider.

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Spiders are prone to being wobbly? Did not know that. Thanks for the info.! I'm looking for a good, solid, healthy BP. Don't want to spend a ton of cash on it, but want something slightly morphier (is that even a word? :rofl:) than a normal. If I was rich, I'd LOVE a Pied!!! Thanks, everyone! I'm thinking a modest, yet awesome, Pastel.

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

Spiders are prone to being wobbly? Did not know that. Thanks for the info.! I'm looking for a good, solid, healthy BP. Don't want to spend a ton of cash on it, but want something slightly morphier (is that even a word? :rofl:) than a normal. If I was rich, I'd LOVE a Pied!!! Thanks, everyone! I'm thinking a modest, yet awesome, Pastel.

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The wobble is not a bad thing! Spiders are a very solid choice for a pet, if anything I think they have a better personality because of the wobble.

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Originally Posted by Rob

The wobble is not a bad thing! Spiders are a very solid choice for a pet, if anything I think they have a better personality because of the wobble.

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Spiders ARE gorgeous, imo! Garrick D. has some beauties id my price range! Hmm, we'll see... Rob, where in NE are you? I'm in NH.

Good ole CT

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Originally Posted by Rob

Good ole CT

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Nice. We were down there not long ago. My Wifey did a seminar at the U of C.

I have a bee and he has developed a slight wobble. It adds to his character in my opinion. Great eater. I just make sure the feeder's nose is resting against the bottom on the paper towel so it's not swinging or wobbling and he has not missed since I started doing this.

I think you will be happy with either. My only suggestion would be to consider a female. I know you say this will be your only one....... But many people before you have said the same thing only to get bit by the BP bug. And decide later that they want another one and also want to try breeding. Well a female is going to take at least two years to get to a good breeding size. So when you finally come over to the dark side..... :D And you will..... ;) You will already have a girl that is ready to go... :gj:

Been looking at youtube vids. and reading articles on Spiders calling their wobbling a "genetic disorder". Is that from over-breeding? Incest? Too many kids in the gene pool? :confusd: I know that many people keep Spiders, and swear by them. Thanks for helping me with my "new-bee" questions, I'm an info. sponge!

There is no way you can get just one BP. What's the difference in a extra foot of snake? just more to love :). I was literally in the same position you were last june! Spider or Pastel. I went with the Female Pastel and on of the best Herp related decsions I have ever made. Also I have added 2 other Balls since I bought her and am about to buy a female Mojave in December :) Have fun with the addiction!!!

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

Been looking at youtube vids. and reading articles on Spiders calling their wobbling a "genetic disorder". Is that from over-breeding? Incest? Too many kids in the gene pool? :confusd: I know that many people keep Spiders, and swear by them. Thanks for helping me with my "new-bee" questions, I'm an info. sponge!

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Spiders wobble. Period. "Wobble" can include star-gazing, slow corkscrewing, or an actual shaking of the head. It is inextricably linked to the spider gene (meaning you can't outcross and breed it out), and the degree of wobble appears to be random. I think that people put way to large of warning signs around the "problem". As has been mentioned above, this quirkiness of the spider gene really gives them more personality, but I have never seen it have a negative impact on a BP's ability to thrive.

Might I suggest a female desert? They are beautiful, but are unable to reproduce. If you are indeed looking for a pet, and only a pet, this is a great way to get a stunning animal, for pet price. There are a lot around that need homes that won't try and "fix" their reproduction issue. (sometimes ending in the death of the female)

Just a thought :)

Of the two mentioned, spiders retain the "wow" factor, pastels (the majority these days) brown out and look almost if not just like a normal.

If the spider wobble worries you, and you set yourself on the path of pastel, try and get the brightest yellow pastel you can. Orange and flecking (looks like dirt in the yellows) will brown out quickly with pastels.

I do agree that if you just want a pet you should consider a female desert. They look incredible and since they can't breed, you can get one for around 200 bucks, which isn't much more than you'd spend on a spider or pastel.

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Originally Posted by Rob

The wobble is not a bad thing! Spiders are a very solid choice for a pet, if anything I think they have a better personality because of the wobble.

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I completely agree! I have full on conversations with mine, all of which end up with her encouraging me with her 'nodding'. Shes great at answering yes/no questions :p She has the best personality out of all of my snakes.
The wobble is just something to be aware of, since it seems like some breeders try to hide it and deny that their animals do wobble, or show signs even if very minimal.

So do there awesome dance moves prevent them from climbing at all?

*their

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Originally Posted by JeRMz

So do there awesome dance moves prevent them from climbing at all?

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I dont know about others who keep their snakes in tubs (all my snakes are in terrariums), but mine LOVES to climb. I should have named her Curious George... You cant stop her. Shes always on her log, or trying to get under the light, or anywhere she can go. If you take her out you have to watch her like a halk because she'll try and go on some sort of adventure, ontop of pillows, under the bed, ontop of the dogs... Its just fun to watch them dance sometimes. Like I said its usually more visible when they're eating/trying to lunge at the food.

Lots of good advise, as mentioned, get a female! I love both my pastel and my honeybee, so....... go for a bumblebee! But really, get which one you love best, just remember pastels tend to brown out and spiders wobble. They are both great snakes and I couldn't imagine my collection without them both!

As mentioned if you get a pastel get the brightest cleanest yellow you can find, the less orange and specks the better. For a spider, they all wobble to some extent, weither it is a slight shake of the head when stressed or wobbling and corkscrewing all over the place every time they move it just adds to their personality, in my opinion.

I'd get the spider. We got a spider for our first, and while I know the individual BP's personality is more relevant than it's colour, she has been absolutely ace. She has a slight wobble when feeding, but it hasn't stopped her from being voracious. She's eaten everything we've ever given her, super friendly and easy to handle. I'd happily get another spider.