lookin for some friendly advice

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and a novice when it comes to ball pythons though I did have one a few years back that was always healthy. He was the only one I ever kept. I have been keeping tarantulas for 15 years but I want to get back into snakes...specifically ball pythons. There is a guy in my town that breeds some color morphs. I have seen them come through the local pet store and I have inquired about the supplier.
This brings me to my question. I want your opinions as to wether or not I should just buy the normal color phase of ball python or should I invest in a color morph while I have some extra cash and can afford one? Also should I be thinking about a possible breeding attempt this early in the game as it is a habit of mine to try to breed the animals I keep?

Welcome to the family ;)

A lot of people start off with just normal ball pythons and work there way up to having morph's. Normals do run a special part in breeding projects also. Another thing is unless you get all adults it will take a few years before you'll be able to breed them since female BP's should be at least 3 years of age and at least 1500grams in weight. A higher weight is much better!

If you want a morph and have the money and want one then get one.
It's really up to you.

Get what you like, if the morphs are more appealing to you than a wild type, spend the extra $ and get a morph.

Just make sure you got your husbandry down before you decide to get any regardless of the color.

i'd get what 'moves' you... cause you are going to have this snake for 20+ years... and as a very wise man once told me... cleaning up the poop for that long on a snake you don't "LOVE" isn't any fun! :P

The man makes a good point Goddess lol. Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think I will go talk to Mr. Johnson (local BP breeder) and hopefully talk him into letting me look over some of his snakes. Maybe I will see a pattern I like and we can go from there. I am drawn to the pastel morph but who knows. I have to go get his number from my friend at the pet store first. I should be able to make something happen by the first week of Jan so I will let you all know what I decided. Thanks again.

Good Luck!

of course, you can also go with a breeder and have your snake shipped to you. that "wise man" is adam from 8 Ball Pythons... he's great to work with and produces high quality balls every year!

http://www.8ballpythons.com/index.htm?aid=1+bid=2

of course there are others on this site as well... but i haven't ordered from them. ;)

Pastels are great starter morphs because they are great looking and along the cheaper end(if you are just getting it for looks and buy a male). Plus, if you ever decide to start breeding, pastels are combined with others to make some killer morphs.

I have 8 ball saved to my favorites. I have been looking it over since I found this site. I think I will get in touch with him also after Christmas and maybe he can give me some suggestions. I have always had good experiences ordering from professional breeders over the net for various critters. Its good to know that the pastels can be paired with other morphs to produce more interesting morph patterns. Its also good to know that they are more affordable lol. I just like how they are more striking but not extremely different from the normal BP color pattern. I keep finding myself going back to pics of them on the 8 ball site. Makes me want to run out and get one now but I have to get my 55 gallon out of storage and pick up 2 hides and try to locate my UTH.

It also might be in your best interest to research other set ups than glass aquariums with screen lids. There are easier, more space efficient, and more affordable ways. :) I'll never go back to tanks again. :D

Howdie!!!

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Originally Posted by Rapture

It also might be in your best interest to research other set ups than glass aquariums with screen lids. There are easier, more space efficient, and more affordable ways. :) I'll never go back to tanks again. :D

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Are you talking about the transparent rubbermaid tubs?

Specifically, yes. :P

lol. cool. I already use some smaller ones for my tarantulas. I have a giant vietnamese centipede in a large one that may be suitable for a BP. A few well placed holes for ventilation and some velcro straps attached for added security and presto.

The plastic housing really is wonderful for BP's. We have all of ours in them and just love how easy they are to maintain and how well these particular snakes do in them. Since you mention wanting to breed at some future point you might want to consider a nice 06 pastel male and/or an 05 normal female (or even a nice 04 if you could find one for a reasonable price). That would give you a bit of a lead on growing the female up to breeding weight then pairing her to the male pastel (co-dom morph) at some point down the road.\

Welcome to BPNet and to the world of p. regius addiction LOL

You should definately do what feels right.. I know that it is tough though, when you are snake shopping. What I would do, is just do a ton of research, ask a million questions (or dig up older, relevant posts; this is another awesome way to learn.)
Are you planning on breeding? If not, there really is not much investment-worthy reasoning to buy a morph; if you can get as much enjoyment out of a normal BP as you could from morph, why spend the extra $$? You are basically paying for genetics that can be used to breed more like-patterned snakes. Unless you just have to have a certain morph, than who cares what you have to spend on it. :)
I highly, highly agree with your statement regarding reputable breeders; I would never advise a beginner to get a pet-store snake under most circumstances. Not knowing their exact source, or sex, isn't a great way to start off; but if you're researching 8BallPythons, you are on the right track there!