Need opinions guys! opportunity...

So I have been talking to his girl originally about a rack set up and she messaged me today saying she needed to get rid of some of her BPS for personal reasons and offered me this female 8 ball. She is asking 300 obo, but is willing to go lower. What do you guys think? She was hatched June 2015, but doesn't know the current weight.

Also I may want to breed (more for fun) later on. Would she pair well with either a Mojave or Black Widow?

http://i63.tinypic.com/35asmrn.jpg

edit: is it just me or does that look like mites on the left side of her belly?

IMHO, I love 8 Balls but I would probably pass on this. Pattern is too hectic and unclean.

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Originally Posted by Rikoku

IMHO, I love 8 Balls but I would probably pass on this. Pattern is too hectic and unclean.

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I was wondering about if her pattern was good or not. I was trying to Google pictures but didn't come up with much except other closely related morphs.

u live in Seattle? so do i lol!

that BP looks to be on the small side for a 2015. also it looks more like an 8 Ball Pastel (or Silver Bullet). the gray color and blotches makes me think there's a color highlighter in there like Pastel. it's most def. a good deal for a 0.1 Super morph (or acts like Super) but i would treat any new animal the same - mite treatment and quarantine!

i think an 8 Ball would go great with a Mojave of Black Widow. you can make Savannahs with the Mojave and Pewters or Black Pewters with the Black Widow. if it is indeed an 8 Ball Pastel, that opens up a whole new door with your Black Widow.

Is it just me or does she look small for a year and a half?

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Originally Posted by Ax01

u live in Seattle? so do i lol!

that BP looks to be on the small side for a 2015. also it looks more like an 8 Ball Pastel (or Silver Bullet). the gray color and blotches makes me think there's a color highlighter in there like Pastel. it's most def. a good deal for a 0.1 Super morph (or acts like Super) but i would treat any new animal the same - mite treatment and quarantine!

i think an 8 Ball would go great with a Mojave of Black Widow. you can make Savannahs with the Mojave and Pewters or Black Pewters with the Black Widow. if it is indeed an 8 Ball Pastel, that opens up a whole new door with your Black Widow.

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Before I saw this I just asked if she looked small, haha!
I was wondering if she was something else maybe, the other 8 balls I have managed to see look more solid. But I have no idea about anything on the breeding spectrum as far as what I could get and if I would like it or not. I will have to look up those. What if she did have pastel? Cause then her and the Black Widow would both have pastel and black pastel, so what would come of the offspring then?
That's awesome you live in Seattle! :)

Yup, looks kind of thin. Not "thin" for any snake...but for a young Ball Python. Yup. They should at least have a pleasant plump-ness at this age.

Which bears the question, why so thin ? Esp. for a rather nice morph ? A female, too, which most people would take care to feed and grow well (even if not power feeding).

And then, who has such a morph, female, over a year old and wants to get rid of it rather cheap ??

Maybe its just me, but I have learned that this is just about always true >> if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

And this is not a object, its a animal. One that could potentially endanger the rest of your collection.

I would ask a LOT more questions first. About the feeding schedule, the weight, mites, any issues...etc. If the seller gets offended or is not willing to answer everything gladly, well, you have your answer then.

IF you do decide to go for it. Don't spend more then you can afford to loose. Absolute STRINGENT quarantine.

And good luck with whatever you decide :)

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Originally Posted by Kaylaaa

Is it just me or does she look small for a year and a half?

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Originally Posted by Kaylaaa

Before I saw this I just asked if she looked small, haha!
I was wondering if she was something else maybe, the other 8 balls I have managed to see look more solid. But I have no idea about anything on the breeding spectrum as far as what I could get and if I would like it or not. I will have to look up those. What if she did have pastel? Cause then her and the Black Widow would both have pastel and black pastel, so what would come of the offspring then?
That's awesome you live in Seattle! :)

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use a genetic wizard/morph calculator @ a website like WOBP or MorphMarket to see what u can get. it's pretty cool. it's how i learn alotta morphs and stuff. these are all the combos u can make from the Black Widow x 8 Bal lPastel pairing:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2Ft8tMd4s.png

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Originally Posted by zina10

Yup, looks kind of thin. Not "thin" for any snake...but for a young Ball Python. Yup. They should at least have a pleasant plump-ness at this age.

Which bears the question, why so thin ? Esp. for a rather nice morph ? A female, too, which most people would take care to feed and grow well (even if not power feeding).

And then, who has such a morph, female, over a year old and wants to get rid of it rather cheap ??

Maybe its just me, but I have learned that this is just about always true >> if it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

And this is not a object, its a animal. One that could potentially endanger the rest of your collection.

I would ask a LOT more questions first. About the feeding schedule, the weight, mites, any issues...etc. If the seller gets offended or is not willing to answer everything gladly, well, you have your answer then.

IF you do decide to go for it. Don't spend more then you can afford to loose. Absolute STRINGENT quarantine.

And good luck with whatever you decide :)

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She told me the reason for getting rid of her entire collection, which was understandable and not something I should probably share - but she needs quick cash for family reasons and sold all her snakes. I am a little worried about the size though, maybe I should ask for more pics?
I did ask about the feeding and she the female eats two small rats once a week, kinda sounds like inadequate feeding because at a year and a half she should be eating larger rats. Even my subadult male rescue who is on a fast is larger than her.
The last thing I want to do is endanger my boys, I would be devestated if something happened to them.
But it does kinda seem like she just needs the money asap and maybe didn't feed the female enough... but like you said, maybe too good to be true.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

use a genetic wizard/morph calculator @ a website like WOBP or MorphMarket to see what u can get. it's pretty cool. it's how i learn alotta morphs and stuff. these are all the combos u can make from the Black Widow x 8 Bal lPastel pairing:

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...%2Ft8tMd4s.png

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Oh man, I could make some pretty babies with them...

I know you are tempted :)

You don't need to share the reasons why the seller is selling, just be sure its not because that female is problematic. And do find out a bit more. I don't know...even 2 small rats per week, I would think the snake would be more "plump".

And most important.

GOOD QUARANTINE. Meaning, a different room. And change clothes/wash hands thoroughly if you handle/clean/mess with the new girl and then go work with your other snakes. Or always start with your other snakes and then do the new one.

If she eats well, poops well, sheds and everything is on the up and up after a few weeks, you're good to go :)

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Originally Posted by zina10

I know you are tempted :)

You don't need to share the reasons why the seller is selling, just be sure its not because that female is problematic. And do find out a bit more. I don't know...even 2 small rats per week, I would think the snake would be more "plump".

And most important.

GOOD QUARANTINE. Meaning, a different room. And change clothes/wash hands thoroughly if you handle/clean/mess with the new girl and then go work with your other snakes. Or always start with your other snakes and then do the new one.

If she eats well, poops well, sheds and everything is on the up and up after a few weeks, you're good to go :)

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Very tempted, haha.
But maybe I will wait and just get an 8 ball later on. I am kinda scared now haha

No reason to be scared.

Ask a few additional questions. If the seller is honest, they will actually welcome questions. If the seller gets snippy...well, listen to your gut.

If you can afford her, just house her in a different room for now and if you handle or clean any of your snakes/enclosures, just make sure you do her last. Or if you messed with her, wash and change before you mess with the others.

Quarantine is really not that difficult to do. And its only for a few weeks. Or at least until after a few good meals, poops and at least one good shed.

:)

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Originally Posted by zina10

No reason to be scared.

Ask a few additional questions. If the seller is honest, they will actually welcome questions. If the seller gets snippy...well, listen to your gut.

If you can afford her, just house her in a different room for now and if you handle or clean any of your snakes/enclosures, just make sure you do her last. Or if you messed with her, wash and change before you mess with the others.

Quarantine is really not that difficult to do. And its only for a few weeks. Or at least until after a few good meals, poops and at least one good shed.

:)

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I'm definietly asking more questions.
I guess I'm more worried about her size now that I really think about it. I mean she looks almost as big as my 10/16 hatchling.

So I prodded a bit more and feel a little better. She said she is deinietly an 8 ball, no pastel. She also sent me a better pic, not sure why she sent me the first one when this is a much better picture. Here it is. She said last time she weighed her, which was a few months ago, she was nearly 1k grams.
http://i68.tinypic.com/32znlft.jpg

there's no way she's eating 2 small rats per week. (IMO 2 small rats is more than adequate for a normal size adult BP.)


Edit: ok, she has a better shape in that 2nd pix u just posted. looks more rounded out and better head to neck size.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

there's no way she's eating 2 small rats per week. (IMO 2 small rats is more than adequate for a normal size adult BP.)


Edit: ok, she has a better shape in that 2nd pix u just posted. looks more rounded out and better head to neck size.

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Haha, I know the second I saw that other picture I was like, okay she doesn't look bad. Darker, larger, brighter, haha.

Just a side note, quarantine of any new animal should be longer than a couple weeks. I believe 60 days is standard, and some go longer.

My feeling has always been to buy the absolute best animal of a given morph I can afford, and not to get something just because someone offers it to me. There really is no point asking anyone on here for their opinion, and the reason for that is this. Is this an animal you really want to have in your group? Is this one you have been looking for and can't wait to have? Is this one you want so much that you are willing to pass on just any old animal in favor of getting the one you actually want? Of the answer is yes to all of those, and this is the animal that really makes you sit back in awe, then this is the animal for you. if not, then move along. You are not a rescue, and there is no need to spend money on any old animal.

Personally however, I think this is a pretty ugly snake and would not personally want to plug that into other morphs. Its a very poor representative of the morph in my eyes.

Warren

I must be strange, haha, because I love the look of that snake! I love the blotches, the hectic pattern, like the gravel/sand/etc. in a creek.

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

Depends on how you define an opportunity, to me an opportunity is to add the best example of a mutation in my collection and I am very picky, also when it comes to certain mutations, I like to know what lineage I am working with , while it does not matter to some I like to know what Black Pastel Lineage I am working. (I currently work with two lines)

Other see an opportunity as getting a snake for cheap regardless of what the animal looks like just to be able to say they have said snakes.

Ultimately YOUR choice you are the one that will care for that animal, no one else, and hopefully if you do get this female and decide to breed her to a Black Widow you are fully aware of the possible issues you can end up dealing with.

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Originally Posted by Fraido

I must be strange, haha, because I love the look of that snake! I love the blotches, the hectic pattern, like the gravel/sand/etc. in a creek.

Sent from my LG-H812 using Tapatalk

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I must be strange too, cause I thought after I saw that second picture that she was pretty too haha.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

Depends on how you define an opportunity, to me an opportunity is to add the best example of a mutation in my collection and I am very picky, also when it comes to certain mutations, I like to know what lineage I am working with , while it does not matter to some I like to know what Black Pastel Lineage I am working. (I currently work with two lines)

Other see an opportunity as getting a snake for cheap regardless of what the animal looks like just to be able to say they have said snakes.

Ultimately YOUR choice you are the one that will care for that animal, no one else, and hopefully if you do get this female and decide to breed her to a Black Widow you are fully aware of the possible issues you can end up dealing with.

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I don't think I am going to get her, but since I am not aware, what would the issues be?
I am no breeder by any means and may not even breed, it was just something I was thinking of maybe looking into down the line.

She was just added to Morph Market for 375. I'm really confused why they listed her looking so washed out and thin compared to that second picture?

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Originally Posted by Kaylaaa

I don't think I am going to get her, but since I am not aware, what would the issues be?
I am no breeder by any means and may not even breed, it was just something I was thinking of maybe looking into down the line.

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The problem with Super Cinny, Super Black Pastel and 8 Balls is that they are prone to kinking duck billing etc, it's not uncommon in a clutch to see all supers being severely deformed, so it is to keep in mind when breeding those......it only however affect the super form so other combos are fine.

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Originally Posted by HannahLou

She was just added to Morph Market for 375. I'm really confused why they listed her looking so washed out and thin compared to that second picture?

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I saw that too. I have no idea why she is using the first picture, the second is much better. She was going to let me have her for $225, but I decided against it.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

The problem with Super Cinny, Super Black Pastel and 8 Balls is that they are prone to kinking duck billing etc, it's not uncommon in a clutch to see all supers being severely deformed, so it is to keep in mind when breeding those......it only however affect the super form so other combos are fine.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

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Good to know! I have never bred before so I don't know much about it. But if I ever did decide to down the line I would obviously research quite a bit more. :)

I saw this on sale on another site and noticed that the seller only wanted to accept Western Union or Walmart Moneygram for payment. Unless you are local and can see and pick her up in person, this is usually a red flag for me.

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Originally Posted by D_ONE

I saw this on sale on another site and noticed that the seller only wanted to accept Western Union or Walmart Moneygram for payment. Unless you are local and can see and pick her up in person, this is usually a red flag for me.

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I am local, but decided against getting her.

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Originally Posted by Warren_Booth

My feeling has always been to buy the absolute best animal of a given morph I can afford, and not to get something just because someone offers it to me. There really is no point asking anyone on here for their opinion, and the reason for that is this. Is this an animal you really want to have in your group? Is this one you have been looking for and can't wait to have? Is this one you want so much that you are willing to pass on just any old animal in favor of getting the one you actually want? Of the answer is yes to all of those, and this is the animal that really makes you sit back in awe, then this is the animal for you. if not, then move along. You are not a rescue, and there is no need to spend money on any old animal.

Personally however, I think this is a pretty ugly snake and would not personally want to plug that into other morphs. Its a very poor representative of the morph in my eyes.

Warren

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Originally Posted by Fraido

I must be strange, haha, because I love the look of that snake! I love the blotches, the hectic pattern, like the gravel/sand/etc. in a creek.

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Originally Posted by Kaylaaa

I must be strange too, cause I thought after I saw that second picture that she was pretty too haha.

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i agree w/ Warren in that it's not a representative of an 8 Ball. it's too blotchy, too grey. here's some of my Super Cinny/Black Pastel's:

Shadow - i got her from a very good local breeder. she's a Super Cinny and possibly het G-Stripe. She's in shed in these pix, and only has 2 small, feint blotches. pretty clean for a Super Cinny.
http://i.imgur.com/iVmm577m.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/KLqdnrAm.jpg


Tinman - he's a Silver Bullet (Super Cinny Pastel), he's gotten more grey and silvery, he's developed more blotches as he's gotten older. u can see why i thought the BP u posted was an 8 Ball Pastel or Silver Bullet.
http://i.imgur.com/VeYNHNdm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/LgSxUDrm.jpg


Scarecrow - my Super Black Pastel 66% het Pied.
http://i.imgur.com/NKWyI7fm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/HJFuY1Hm.jpg


Edit: i can also play devil's advocate for the 8 Ball u did post tho. although most would consider it "ugly" i think it might be good for an Urban Camo project with all of it's blotches and "pattern." i think Brandon Osborne could sell a BP like that for 3-4 times that price. it kinda looks like is Vanished Vanishing line.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

i agree w/ Warren in that it's not a representative of an 8 Ball. it's too blotchy, too grey. here's some of my Super Cinny/Black Pastel's:

Shadow - i got her from a very good local breeder. she's a Super Cinny and possibly het G-Stripe. She's in shed in these pix, and only has 2 small, feint blotches. pretty clean for a Super Cinny.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FiVmm577l.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FKLqdnrAl.jpg

Tinman - he's a Silver Bullet (Super Cinny Pastel), he's gotten more grey and silvery, he's developed more blotches as he's gotten older. u can see why i thought the BP u posted was an 8 Ball Pastel or Silver Bullet.https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FVeYNHNdl.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FLgSxUDrl.jpg



Scarecrow - my Super Black Pastel 66% het Pied.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FNKWyI7fl.jpg
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/cach...2FHJFuY1Hl.jpg

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I'm not saying it's a good example of an 8 Ball, but that I personally love the way it looks. Maybe it's just because I don't breed, so I don't care about the best example of a morph, but whether or not I find the individual snake beautiful. To me, I think this snake is gorgeous. I also think a good example of an 8 Ball is gorgeous, though I would prefer the blotchy snake OP was considering.

I think as long as you follow proper quarantine procedures and you want to try, then go for it. Does look like mites to me, definitely treat her like she has the plague until she is healthy and mite free would be what I would do. I usually quarantine for a fairly long time, depending on the animal. I have quarantined lizards for 6 months before because i thought they were worth the investment of time to be sure they were perfect (they were)

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doesn't look like mites to me. that doesn't mean u don't treat it anyway. it looks like paradoxing. it's apparently a grey, high blotch 8 Ball with some paradoxing. (so if anyone wants a paradox, there u go. :) ) as i mentioned in my edit above, it might be a good candidate for an Urban Camo project.

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Originally Posted by Ax01

doesn't look like mites to me. that doesn't mean u don't treat it anyway. it looks like paradoxing. it's apparently a grey, high blotch 8 Ball with some paradoxing. (so if anyone wants a paradox, there u go. :) ) as i mentioned in my edit above, it might be a good candidate for an Urban Camo project.

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Holy snickey, I just looked up an urban camo and I am in love.