Choosing a balll pyton

I'm looking through morph pages, and I really like the black/white/grey combos (Axanthic VPI is the only example I know)
What are some other beauties I should check out in the $300 price range.
I found ONE I REALLY wanted, and then someone picked it up before I could!
thanks guys!

If I had 300 to spend on a morph today I would pick up a nice female fire. If you are just starting out, start with females, get a male in a couple years. Look ahead at your dream snake (high price is okay) and buy a nice example of what will make that possible one day. For example if you love the way BELs look, buy yourself a nice female mojave, lesser, butter, or het Russo. If you like the looks of a super blast, a nice pinstripe or pastel is the way to go. Perhaps you like the looks of a albino spider? Whatever you like get a female that will contribute. check out world of ball pythons.

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Originally Posted by Ladybugzcrunch

If I had 300 to spend on a morph today I would pick up a nice female fire. If you are just starting out, start with females, get a male in a couple years. Look ahead at your dream snake (high price is okay) and buy a nice example of what will make that possible one day. For example if you love the way BELs look, buy yourself a nice female mojave, lesser, butter, or het Russo. If you like the looks of a super blast, a nice pinstripe or pastel is the way to go. Perhaps you like the looks of a albino spider? Whatever you like get a female that will contribute. check out world of ball pythons.

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Why female I must ask.
I'm not going to get into breeding, I just want a buddy to hang out with during movies and all that jazz.
Why females over males?
Fire's are pretty as all hell though.

I also love pastels.

I would honestly say, get whatever peaks your interest. I too am not into breeding - although most people on here say they started like that, and then decide to breed later on down the road. That may be why Ladybugzcrunch suggested getting females, just in case you decide to breed later on. Personally, for my first (and perhaps only) BP I didn't want something too overpowering, so I got a male. I'm hoping he won't get too large. I have a female corn who will probably grow longer than he will, and that's enough for me.
If you only *plan* on getting one or two BPs or so, and really just want it as a pet, I'd say go for the morph (in your price range) that you find the most attractive. That way you may not feel a need to get more snakes, if that makes sense?

:) Good luck!

If you just want a pet, get a male. Everyone wants females for breeding, so for most morphs you'll get more bang for your buck with a male.

An axanthic in that price range is completely doable, but make sure to see what the parents look like because most of them can get pretty brown as they grow up.
If you like dark snakes, check out a black pastel, or a really high contrast pewter. Pewters are wonderful grey-toned snakes.

I suggest getting a female .. first of all for the reason NH93 stated - if you ever get a male it is best to already have a female of breeding size .. females need to gain a lot of weight before successfully breeding, males can be much smaller and younger .. the second reason is that if you ever decide to get out of the hobby you will probably be able to sell an adult female for more than an adult male :) and the third and probably MOST IMPORTANT reason for you is that males are very fidgety for feeding .. sometimes they decide to refuse food and go off feed for months .. and if you only have 1 snake, him not eating will get very stressful for you, you will worry for his health even though he will be just fine etc. it is unavoidable .. females on the other hand tend to be better feeders than males
so I suggest getting a female :)

regards, Andrej

Pick one that you think is pretty if all you're looking for is a pet. As Artemille pointed out, an axanthic male in that price range shouldn't be hard, but unfortunately they do tend to brown out significantly as they grow up. In your case, it would be worth it to shop around and check out how the parents look before actually getting your snake. :)

However, there IS always that chance you'll get bitten by the bug...which is why so many people are suggesting to get a female. If you do decide to breed later on down the road, you'll be glad you got a female. But...my two cents? You'll be just as happy with a male having gotten you started, if you're in it just for the joy of the snakes. My first morph was a male and I was stoked to have him. Yeah, I could have made more, sooner, if I'd gotten a female...but I was still thrilled with my male. He was still a great snake, and I still used him for breeding projects, just later on down the road. He was a great pet when I stopped using him for breeding projects, and made several appearances at educational programs and at the stores.

Buy a snake that you like, plain and simple. :)

-Jen

males really are cheaper; for the price of a female axanthic you might even get a male axanthic fire.

if you get a male, you might get something with some real genetic power that also looks awesome, like a jigsaw, and for breeding at some unspecified later time it would still be useful.

the ones that get useless for breeding the fastest are normal males, or single-gene codom or dominant males, followed by single gene recessive males.

and when you know you wont be breeding in at least the next 5 years, it all becomes meaningless and you can just buy what you want.

and yes, buy something that really really appeals to you, just browse what all the bigger breeders have in stock.

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Originally Posted by reptilesbeforemammal

Why female I must ask.
I'm not going to get into breeding, I just want a buddy to hang out with during movies and all that jazz.
Why females over males?
Fire's are pretty as all hell though.

I also love pastels.

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Ball pythons are like pokemon, gotta catch them all. LOL. But if you really just want a buddy to hang out with, consider adopting a male normal. There are so many out there that need good homes. Plenty of unusual ones that are dinker worthy. Then spend the 300 on an awesome enclosure for him. All ball pythons act the same (except maybe spiders are a lil weird!) no matter what color. You pick what you like.

I personally like Axanthics,Pieds,Bananas,Caramels

i have a ghost now. he wasn't my first option and not what I wanted . but I held a few snakes and Kocur my GHOST BP was cool,energetic lively and wouldn't stop moving ,I liked him right away. Point is don't go with. Certain expectations cause you never know what you may leave with .

i couldn't be happier than I am now. I wouldn't take any snake over. Kocur,he's a beast,eats like a beast is a super aggressive feeder but sweet and mellow and friendly. Just go and find what suits you best

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Originally Posted by Ladybugzcrunch

Ball pythons are like pokemon, gotta catch them all. LOL. But if you really just want a buddy to hang out with, consider adopting a male normal. There are so many out there that need good homes. Plenty of unusual ones that are dinker worthy. Then spend the 300 on an awesome enclosure for him. All ball pythons act the same (except maybe spiders are a lil weird!) no matter what color. You pick what you like.

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Dude,I couldn't agree more. While I was already planning on going to the LI expo and getting a morph,I've started actually liking the normals,there beautiful. So I'm probably going to buy a healthy normal for $25-$50 and spend the rest on stuff for his tank and on kocurs tank.

If I was in your place, BTW I have been. ;)

I would study up and do lots of research and save up for the morph/ reptile that I really wanted. Owning a pet shouldn't be about getting what you can afford right now, but what you absolutely know it's what you always wanted. And if that takes weeks or months or longer, so be it.

Even after I start my breeding endeavors and hopefully produce my dream snakes my normal girl will always be with me, I love her, she's beautiful to me :)

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