WTF is wrong with my BP

I got him about 2 weeks ago with what seems to be missing scales on his head. He is EXTREMELY head shy! I was wonder what could have caused this :
http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DCAM0060.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DCAM0061.jpg

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DCAM0063.jpg

Will this get better with time or what!

BP's are head shy anyways, so I don't see why thats relevant. As to the scales, it "looks" like he had a poor shed and it left dried up scales behind.

Yep, just the results of an imperfect shed. With the proper humidity it should come off with his next shed.

For what I can tell from the picture, he's just a baby, he's bound to me extremelly head shy. Why do you want to touch is head for, anyway? It'll just stress him out.

And I agree with connie and emily on the previous bad shed, keep an eye on your humidity levels from now on so as to ensure good future sheds (I know you got him 2 weeks ago).

If by the next shed for some reason (even if the humidity is up) it shouldn't happen, but if the patch of scaled skin remains try using a damp cloth to get it off or soaking him in water for a few minutes. :]

It should clear up though. Doesn't look that bad or anything.

Note: Also, when I first got my ball python, he had a single scale that didn't shed out of his last shed. He just recently shed and it's fine now. :]

Yep, scales are still there - just keep humidity up for its next shed. BPs are head shy, nothing to worry about just keep it in mind when handling so you do not stress them out too much!

This is what a scar on a BP will look like (depending on the type of injury and where) This is my male, not sure what happened to him as he had this scar before me and the previous owner had him.

http://i204.photobucket.com/albums/b...S/DSC04107.jpg

You can see the difference between this and the dry area on your snakes head.

I want to thank every one for there replies.And I will be sure to keep the humidity up next shed!

I may regret this, but it's bugging me and I have to ask. In your first few posts you told the forum how you suffocated a mouse to death to prekill it, this thread you ask about stuck shed. All well and good I suppose, but then I see in your signature, "ExoticsBySize - the most affordable morphs ANYWHERE - site coming Fall 2008". Are you serious? Are you really planning on breeding snakes, this year even?? I'm very confused.

Hmmmmmmmmmm

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Originally Posted by darkangel

I may regret this, but it's bugging me and I have to ask. In your first few posts you told the forum how you suffocated a mouse to death to prekill it, this thread you ask about stuck shed. All well and good I suppose, but then I see in your signature, "ExoticsBySize - the most affordable morphs ANYWHERE - site coming Fall 2008". Are you serious? Are you really planning on breeding snakes, this year even?? I'm very confused.

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That's been bothering the heck out of me Amy, I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Anywhere isn't even spelled right!!!

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

That's been bothering the heck out of me Amy, I'm glad I'm not the only one.

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Your not, in fact I think she was the only one who actually came out and said anything..
We were all wondering this.
Also, edie that scar is sad but the most perfect scar I've ever seen! I bet it adds to his personality a lot. It's super cute on him. :D

Well maybe we'll get a reply, who knows?

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Well maybe we'll get a reply, who knows?

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Doesn't seem he's responding. :rolleyes:

Hmmm... Guess 'silence speaks volumes' applies here.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

Hmmm... Guess 'silence speaks volumes' applies here.

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I was really looking forward to this response...hopefully tomorow.

Wow. The guy has made some mistakes. He's new. and probably young. He's here to learn. Do we really need to bash him? Or should we educate him? Isn't that why this site is here?

Steve

Steve I don't think they are meaning to bash at him at all. I can understand their concern about a person not having the experience to even recognize a bit of stuck shed (or knowing how to deal with prey) already advertising that they are going to be selling morphs cheap a few months from now. It's a valid concern and I think they expressed it without being overly harsh.

Quite honestly, I'd be interested in the answer myself.

Jo, perhaps "bash" was a harsh term. However, my take on this situation is that Exotics is probably (at least in my mind) a high school aged person who is excited about his new hobby. We've seen this before. I just feel that the "3rd degree" he's received in this thread is the type of treatment that leads to a new member not wanting to post further, and possibly leaving. There's even a mention of spelling errors. Obviously, good spelling is not required for good husbandry. In my opinion, a courteous pm sent to the op about a spelling error in his sig line would be preferable to a public calling out.

This thread was about the shed anomaly on his snake's head. Its turned into an inquisition about his plans as a breeder. As far as the pre-kill methods, he posted his method for killing the mouse and asked for advice about his method, and received it. Hopefully, he will follow that advice in the future, and I think he probably will.

Sorry for stirring the pot.
Steve

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Originally Posted by darkangel

I may regret this, but it's bugging me and I have to ask. In your first few posts you told the forum how you suffocated a mouse to death to prekill it, this thread you ask about stuck shed. All well and good I suppose, but then I see in your signature, "ExoticsBySize - the most affordable morphs ANYWHERE - site coming Fall 2008". Are you serious? Are you really planning on breeding snakes, this year even?? I'm very confused.

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yikes i can't wait for the OP to respond...

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

Jo, perhaps "bash" was a harsh term. However, my take on this situation is that Exotics is probably (at least in my mind) a high school aged person who is excited about his new hobby. We've seen this before. I just feel that the "3rd degree" he's received in this thread is the type of treatment that leads to a new member not wanting to post further, and possibly leaving. There's even a mention of spelling errors. Obviously, good spelling is not required for good husbandry. In my opinion, a courteous pm sent to the op about a spelling error in his sig line would be preferable to a public calling out.

This thread was about the shed anomaly on his snake's head. Its turned into an inquisition about his plans as a breeder. As far as the pre-kill methods, he posted his method for killing the mouse and asked for advice about his method, and received it. Hopefully, he will follow that advice in the future, and I think he probably will.

Sorry for stirring the pot.
Steve

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The spelling error thing was a bit much really and your solution a much better one I think.

You have a point and I think it's always a good idea to reflect on these things and find the best mid-point. Calling other members out for "bashing" isn't fair to them and their concerns but also how they expressed their concerns may have been a bit on the blunt side or perceived that way by some. It's so very hard for any of us to be understood as we would like when all we have to go on is the written word.

I hope the OP does answers the concerns expressed and feels comfortable asking questions as in the end that's what we are all about around here. :)

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

Wow. The guy has made some mistakes. He's new. and probably young. He's here to learn. Do we really need to bash him? Or should we educate him? Isn't that why this site is here?

Steve

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Thank You

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Originally Posted by hoo-t

Jo, perhaps "bash" was a harsh term. However, my take on this situation is that Exotics is probably (at least in my mind) a high school aged person who is excited about his new hobby. We've seen this before. I just feel that the "3rd degree" he's received in this thread is the type of treatment that leads to a new member not wanting to post further, and possibly leaving. There's even a mention of spelling errors. Obviously, good spelling is not required for good husbandry. In my opinion, a courteous pm sent to the op about a spelling error in his sig line would be preferable to a public calling out.

This thread was about the shed anomaly on his snake's head. Its turned into an inquisition about his plans as a breeder. As far as the pre-kill methods, he posted his method for killing the mouse and asked for advice about his method, and received it. Hopefully, he will follow that advice in the future, and I think he probably will.

Sorry for stirring the pot.
Steve

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You are exactly right! I am in high school and very excited about my new found hobby!. All these people on here making a big deal out of nothing. When you think about it was it really that serious. and as far as the spelling error in "Anywhere" I made that signature moments after I first joined this forum and over looked the spelling because I was so excited to have found a online community of herpers that I can give and receive helpful information to and from. So the spelling error was totally blown out of proportion. Anyway I want to thank everyone for there help

Exotics,

I am going to just put it to you straight.

If you are new, how can you claim to have all these morphs and be the BEST??? Isn't that a little over the top??

That's like saying "Hey, I am awesome and better than you, even though I don't know much about anything!!!"

You understand why people got a bit miffed?

Start out learning, start out with what you have, then grow into what you want to be SLOWLY.

You can't just jump off a cliff and claim you can fly....

I didn't ask you to bash you Exotics. I asked because it was a little shocking to see that in your signature when you've asked questions that indicate you are very new to the hobby. Can you not see that this is a legitimate concern?! You still haven't addressed the original question.

Counting your chickens before they hatch?

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Originally Posted by LadyOhh

Exotics,

I am going to just put it to you straight.

If you are new, how can you claim to have all these morphs and be the BEST??? Isn't that a little over the top??

That's like saying "Hey, I am awesome and better than you, even though I don't know much about anything!!!"

You understand why people got a bit miffed?

Start out learning, start out with what you have, then grow into what you want to be SLOWLY.

You can't just jump off a cliff and claim you can fly....

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I don't understand what your saying my slogan was "the most affordable morphs anywhere" not the best morphs anywhere
what I was going to do was make morphs like pieds,albinos,mojaves,super pastels more affordable to people on a budget or teens who cant pay $2000 for a BP so what I was going to do was drop the price on these morphs. i.e. A Super Pastel goes for about $1000 but what I was going to do was sell mines for 250-300 SO you got me all wrong!

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Originally Posted by ExoticsBySize

I don't understand what your saying my slogan was "the most affordable morphs anywhere" not the best morphs anywhere
what I was going to do was make morphs like pieds,albinos,mojaves,super pastels more affordable to people on a budget or teens who cant pay $2000 for a BP so what I was going to do was drop the price on these morphs. i.e. A Super Pastel goes for about $1000 but what I was going to do was sell mines for 250-300 SO you got me all wrong!

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No, I didn't...

But I don't think you would understand

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Originally Posted by ExoticsBySize

I don't understand what your saying my slogan was "the most affordable morphs anywhere" not the best morphs anywhere
what I was going to do was make morphs like pieds,albinos,mojaves,super pastels more affordable to people on a budget or teens who cant pay $2000 for a BP so what I was going to do was drop the price on these morphs. i.e. A Super Pastel goes for about $1000 but what I was going to do was sell mines for 250-300 SO you got me all wrong!

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OK. WHOA. I don't think you have the slightest clue the costs involved. First to acquire those animals, the housing, the feeding, incubators... Not to mention why would you want to undercut a market that's constantly dropping prices anyway. I'm just :O

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

Counting your chickens before they hatch?

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If thats what you call it !

All I have to say is that you have a LOT to learn :D

Good luck!!!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ExoticsBySize

I don't understand what your saying my slogan was "the most affordable morphs anywhere" not the best morphs anywhere
what I was going to do was make morphs like pieds,albinos,mojaves,super pastels more affordable to people on a budget or teens who cant pay $2000 for a BP so what I was going to do was drop the price on these morphs. i.e. A Super Pastel goes for about $1000 but what I was going to do was sell mines for 250-300 SO you got me all wrong!

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Well, once you buy your first female het pied, raise her to size, breed, get some eggs, incubate them, and perhaps get some hatchlings....

Perhaps you'll learn why not only are your plans a bit short sighted, but you'll quickly learn why people sell morphs for as much as they do.

As I said, countin your chickens before they hatch?

It's good to be really excited about the hobby, but saying your going to breed when you just bought your first normal snakes, and actually having done it before, is a gap wider than the Mississippi River during flooding season.

Just be excited about the snakes you have, and learn a thing or two before you advertise what your gonna do in 08. ;)

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Originally Posted by darkangel

OK. WHOA. I don't think you have the slightest clue the costs involved. First to acquire those animals, the housing, the feeding, incubators... Not to mention why would you want to undercut a market that's constantly dropping prices anyway. I'm just :O

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Acquiring the morphs - Both my parents are very supportive of my hobby.

Housing-Got rack plus I am building another

Feeding-going to raise ASF's

Incubators-Got a nice post of the 1 I will soon be build:)

Market price - come on how bad can the market undercut from a kid in his basement. It not like Ima be putting out 1000's of babies
maybe 24 at the max this is if I get a clutch of 8 from each female so this has never crossed my mind!

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Originally Posted by ExoticsBySize

Acquiring the morphs - Both my parents are very supportive of my hobby.

Housing-Got rack plus I am building another

Feeding-going to raise ASF's

Incubators-Got a nice post of the 1 I will soon be build:)

Market price - come on how bad can the market undercut from a kid in his basement. It not like Ima be putting out 1000's of babies
maybe 24 at the max this is if I get a clutch of 8 from each female so this has never crossed my mind!

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:rofl::rofl::rofl:
You are being so short-sighted and dense that there isn't a whole lot of point in continuing this conversation. However... the market wouldn't be undercutting you, you would be devaluing a snake that is worth considerably more, therefore YOU would be undercutting the market. I sincerely hope you spend a lot more time doing research before you take responsibility for even more snakes, and I can't wait to see the reality of this hit you. :D

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Originally Posted by darkangel

:rofl::rofl::rofl:
You are being so short-sighted and dense that there isn't a whole lot of point in continuing this conversation. However... the market wouldn't be undercutting you, you would be devaluing a snake that is worth considerably more, therefore YOU would be undercutting the market. I sincerely hope you spend a lot more time doing research before you take responsibility for even more snakes, and I can't wait to see the reality of this hit you. :D

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Great post..Even though I am a little biased! ;)

Well all we can really say is good luck.

Hope you got the mite problem taken care of, hope your still practicing quarantine and have separated the male and female you were concerned about, and hope you invest in a quality thermostat and hope you learn what's in your animals best interest.

Is it harsh of me to say your posts in this thread have cast a picture of a greenhorn with too much pride and bad attitude to accept that he doesn't know it all?

Well, most kids think they know it all, should we fault you for it?

thank god it takes 2yrs to raise a female to breeding weight... Theres a reason these morphs are so expensive and its not bc people are greedy and want to make money... and its not bc they want to keep the market away from young people... its becuase of supply/demand/ and all the work that goes into raising/breeding/caring for snakes...

for your sake I sure hope you dont end up being "that guy" who is all excited about this when he gets his first snake but fades faster than he got into it.

I dont know about you guys, but I can't wait to purchase some Exotics By Size line of Pieds for only a hundred bucks a pop. I'm gonna save myself a fortune!

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Originally Posted by ExoticsBySize

I don't understand what your saying my slogan was "the most affordable morphs anywhere" not the best morphs anywhere
what I was going to do was make morphs like pieds,albinos,mojaves,super pastels more affordable to people on a budget or teens who cant pay $2000 for a BP so what I was going to do was drop the price on these morphs. i.e. A Super Pastel goes for about $1000 but what I was going to do was sell mines for 250-300 SO you got me all wrong!

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i think after you invest quite a bit of time and money on your collection, you'll have a new respect for these animals and realize why they sell for what they do. it takes a lot more work than putting two snakes together and those who have been doing it for years know this and the ones who drop out after the novelty wears off never will. take your time and do it slowly and learn to appreciate what you have. i would rather buy a quality animal for $1000 from a reputable breeder than a not so quality animal of the same kind or morph for $250-$300 from you.

at this rate by the time you breed out super pastels they will probably be worth $250-$300 anyways and you would have already invested $1000 dollars on one and spent a couple years raising it...

Hey c'mon give the kid a break. He's young, he's found a hobby that he really enjoys and he has visions of greatness as the bargain king of BP morphs :D. I think we all had some similar dreams when we were in high school right? Our way to make a fortune without even going to college :rolleyes:. I know I did lol.
Eventually reality will prevail or maybe, just maybe he actually follow through and becomes a reputable breeder who is able to keep producing quality animals. But I think by then he will realize the other costs involved in breeding and keeping these awesome animals.
It's great to be young :rolleye2: (I'm only 24 myself so yes I can still say that :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:)

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Originally Posted by bigballs

at this rate by the time you breed out super pastels they will probably be worth $250-$300 anyways and you would have already invested $1000 dollars on one and spent a couple years raising it...

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thats a realie good point that you have to consider, mayb 2-3 years ago a mojave could go for 2-2.5k and not even the real nice ones, and now you can get a female for about 500. best of luck to ya honestly i mean that :gj: but its a lil bit harder than "i buy snakes, put them together, sell babies, change bp market as we know it" :colbert:. so please keep askin questions and even tho i guaruantee not everyone will be happy to answer them many will and u will learn alot. ive had bps for over 3yrs and still learnin

I don't think that the OP deserves to be called "dense" and I don't think that name calling needs to be encouraged; no matter the bias. :O

I'm uncertain as to what allows the thinking that any of us have a right to know and demand what his signature means. Sure, the question can be asked, but a demand to know? And if the poster doesn't respond right away then "silence speaks loudly"? Sounds as though some minds have already been closed. ;)

I have raised 4 children and still have kids at home. I also have grandkids; 4 of them. I see the excitement and hopeful dreams when they embark on a new adventure. It's a good thing- it's called passion. That this poster might have a premature timeline is neither here nor there given that we all know it's premature.

Why not let reality be the teacher instead of a lot bashing from people on this site who are purportedly around to help?

Just my opinion.... :)

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Originally Posted by starmom

I don't think that the OP deserves to be called "dense" and I don't think that name calling needs to be encouraged; no matter the bias. :O

I'm uncertain as to what allows the thinking that any of us have a right to know and demand what his signature means. Sure, the question can be asked, but a demand to know? And if the poster doesn't respond right away then "silence speaks loudly"? Sounds as though some minds have already been closed. ;)

I have raised 4 children and still have kids at home. I also have grandkids; 4 of them. I see the excitement and hopeful dreams when they embark on a new adventure. It's a good thing- it's called passion. That this poster might have a premature timeline is neither here nor there given that we all know it's premature.

Why not let reality be the teacher instead of a lot bashing from people on this site who are purportedly around to help?

Just my opinion.... :)

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There's a big difference between hopeful dreams and setting someone straight about the realities of breeding Ball Pythons.

Just like the differences between something read in a book and real world experience.

See the parallels?

:gj:

So Starmom you'd like to encourage the high school kid who doesn't even have the basics down and strangled his first prey item to go ahead and start pairing those animals this year?! :gj: I'm not gonna be everyone's cheerleader. I never demanded to know anything, but it's been bothering me and obviously several others on the site, and I asked a question. So what?

"Just my opinion" Jesus, you have one of those? I would have never known.

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Originally Posted by jglass38

There's a big difference between hopeful dreams and setting someone straight about the realities of breeding Ball Pythons.

Just like the differences between something read in a book and real world experience.

See the parallels?

:gj:

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You're bashing and a response/reply is not needed.

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Originally Posted by darkangel

So Starmom you'd like to encourage the high school kid who doesn't even have the basics down and strangled his first prey item to go ahead and start pairing those animals this year?! :gj: I'm not gonna be everyone's cheerleader. I never demanded to know anything, but it's been bothering me and obviously several others on the site, and I asked a question. So what?

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No, I don't think that encouragement is needed for his ideas in his signature. But, this was not the question asked in the original post; it was a tangent and off topic conversation.

I'm wondering, if it was bothering you, why you could not have just pm'd the OP to ask; since it was off-topic, and why you felt that name calling was helpful....

It's also a bummer when a person can't have opinion on this site without being called out for *that*.

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Originally Posted by starmom

No, I don't think that encouragement is needed for his ideas in his signature. But, this was not the question asked in the original post; it was a tangent and off topic conversation.

I'm wondering, if it was bothering you, why you could not have just pm'd the OP to ask; since it was off-topic, and why you felt that name calling was helpful....

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Oh pleeeeeeeaaaaase... I asked because I wanted to know. It was the giant pink elephant in the room that no one was acknowledging. That's not name-calling, stop being such a nit-picker. Are you gonna call that name-calling too? All I did was point out a character trait that the person, at least in the responses, is exhibiting. It's a public forum and I'll point it out if I want to. Get over it.

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Originally Posted by starmom

I don't think that the OP deserves to be called "dense" and I don't think that name calling needs to be encouraged; no matter the bias. :O

I'm uncertain as to what allows the thinking that any of us have a right to know and demand what his signature means. Sure, the question can be asked, but a demand to know? And if the poster doesn't respond right away then "silence speaks loudly"? Sounds as though some minds have already been closed. ;)

I have raised 4 children and still have kids at home. I also have grandkids; 4 of them. I see the excitement and hopeful dreams when they embark on a new adventure. It's a good thing- it's called passion. That this poster might have a premature timeline is neither here nor there given that we all know it's premature.

Why not let reality be the teacher instead of a lot bashing from people on this site who are purportedly around to help?

Just my opinion.... :)

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I agree with you 100% McKenzie I don't think that the OP should be bashed or called "dense" because he has some youthful ambition. While I don't think that it should be encouraged if it is going to be detrimental to the animals in question I think that he is being at least considerate enough for the animals well-being that he is willing to post his questions here. He's excited now because he has this big prospect before him and he thinks that he can make it work. Hopefully he sees that it's better for him to just focus on the snakes that he has now and caring for them the best way that he possibly can and learning as much as he possibly can before he starts down the path of breeding. just my .02 :oops:

I think theres a fine line between youthful ambition and youthful ignorance... you decide which side of the fence this falls under

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

I think theres a fine line between youthful ambition and youthful ignorance... you decide which side of the fence this falls under

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I agree to the point where I would suggest that the line often times disappears completely and reality becomes the teacher :)

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Originally Posted by JoshJP7

I think theres a fine line between youthful ambition and youthful ignorance... you decide which side of the fence this falls under

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Ah, but see, ignorance is a lack of knowledge. The simple fact that the op posted questions about his methods and conditions of the snake admits ignorance, but a willingness and ambition to learn. There is absolutely nothing wrong with ignorance as long as we're willing to learn. I don't think there is a single person on this forum that wasn't COMPLETELY ignorant about ball pythons at some point. I'll be the first to admit that I was.

Steve