New Snake - need suggestions....

Hi Everyone,

I am seriously considering getting another BP. I currently only have one Female BP. I only want them as pets - no breeding in mind. I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions on what a good morph to get would be.

I really like the piebald but don't think that is financially possible - is there some other morphs that are very unique yet much more affordable. Please list the ballpark price of any morphs you may suggest.

I am leaning towards an albino - how much do they run?? Or, do you all think that I should just wait and save up enough to get the piebald since that is my absolute first choice??? Your thoughts.

Thank you.

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Originally Posted by L.West

Hi Everyone,

I am seriously considering getting another BP. I currently only have one Female BP. I only want them as pets - no breeding in mind. I was wondering if you can give me some suggestions on what a good morph to get would be.

I really like the piebald but don't think that is financially possible - is there some other morphs that are very unique yet much more affordable. Please list the ballpark price of any morphs you may suggest.

I am leaning towards an albino - how much do they run?? Or, do you all think that I should just wait and save up enough to get the piebald since that is my absolute first choice??? Your thoughts.

Thank you.

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albinos can run you 500+
Spiders are a great unique morph they range from 250 - 350.00
Pinstripes are another one they range from 350.00-500.00
Hypos I've seen them for as low as 350.00
Axanthics are a cool morph they range around 500+
Enchi's a good looking one will run you 750.00, you can find some for 500.+
Just depends on your budget and what you like. :D

Unfortunately the rarity/uniqueness is what dictates the price tag. If your first choice is a piebald then I would definitely not settle for something else. Take your time saving up money, in the meantime you can further hone your husbandry skills and when you finally get your piebald it will be worth the wait. These animals live for a very long time your best off getting your 1st choice and having no regrets for the next 30 years :)

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

Unfortunately the rarity;uniqueness is what dictates the price tag. If your first choice is a piedbald then I would definitely not settle for something else. Take your time saving up money, in the meantime you can further hone your husbandry skills and when you finally get your piedbald it will be worth the wait. These animals live for a very long time your best off getting your 1st choice and having no regrets for the next 30 years :)

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:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:

I have to agree with this... Save the money buy a pied it will be so worth it..and what a reward to know you didn't settle you got your dream morph as a pet. :D

That is exactly what I was leaning towards - I just can't get the piebald out of my mind - I so badly want one. From what I have seen one will probably cost me about $1,400 is this correct or at least close. I plan to get another RBI cage and RHP heat purchased first and then continue to save for the piebald.

I think if I am going to spend that kind of money I would want to order it from a very reputable breeder - I don't think I want to purchase it froma local reptile show - your thoughts.

Thanks for your input also.

I've seen 08 Pieds for 1200-1800 for males depending on the amount of white.. As far as new 2009 babys there's no telling where the price will be. Best bet is to just start saving every year prices drop slightly so a 2009 may be slightly mor affordable depending on the amount of white.

I agree with what has already been said... save up and get what you really want. Plus, as has been pointed out, the prices of BP morphs tend to get lower as the morph becomes more widely available, and so the wait might not be as long as you think!

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Originally Posted by L.West

I think if I am going to spend that kind of money I would want to order it from a very reputable breeder - I don't think I want to purchase it from a local reptile show - your thoughts.

Thanks for your input also.

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I agree; there is a piece of mind that comes from buying a snake from a reputable breeder. With that said it doesn't necessarily have to be one of the big names in the business; there are many people that frequent this site that I would buy animals from without flinching.

I have always wanted an albino, but the spiders are nice too...:D

Just a few years ago when I got into the BP's they were WAY out of my range for anything I could afford with the money I was getting for disability:(

And for that matter they probably still are :tears:

Thanks to you all for your input - it is very helpful. I am fairly new to keeping snakes - has the piebald morph been around for long enough time where the cost may go down in the near future???

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

I think if I am going to spend that kind of money I would want to order it from a very reputable breeder - I don't think I want to purchase it from a local reptile show - your thoughts.

Thanks for your input also.

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I think thats a very smart idea.. However don't write off smaller breeders I've gotten great animals from smaller breeders that have the same caliber animals, service, knowledge as the big guys. Some time better cause they have to work to earn your business twice as much because they don't have a wide known rep yet.

But if your looking at spending that kind of money buy from who your comfortable. Never should you be uncomfortable during a multi thousand dollar transaction

Quote:

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Originally Posted by L.West

Thanks to you all for your input - it is very helpful. I am fairly new to keeping snakes - has the piebald morph been around for long enough time where the cost may go down in the near future???

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Depends its down from the 8500.00 it was four years ago. Its been around since '97. For many people seeing 1200.00 pieds is a kick in the guts for others its a dream come true.

Wow, I never even realized that they were almost $10,000 at one time - good lord - I could never justify that to my husband - LOL.

Now the $1,400-$1,800 doesn't sound to awfully bad.

Another quick question - since this is my thread I don't think it will be considered hi-jacking!!!!! Is it okay to sit in the sun with your BP for short time frame or would they prefer the shade??? I don't want to hurt my BP by holding it in the sun for maybe 15 minutes - your thoughts.

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Originally Posted by L.West

Wow, I never even realized that they were almost $10,000 at one time - good lord - I could never justify that to my husband - LOL.

Now the $1,400-$1,800 doesn't sound to awfully bad.

Another quick question - since this is my thread I don't think it will be considered hi-jacking!!!!! Is it okay to sit in the sun with your BP for short time frame or would they prefer the shade??? I don't want to hurt my BP by holding it in the sun for maybe 15 minutes - your thoughts.

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It'll be fine.. :gj: I take mine outside for Pictures all the time (sunlight is free and great for photos. :D)

I thought so also but my husband who knows absolutely nothing about snakes and won't even hold my snake - told me I shouldn't have her outside because the suns rays would dehydrate her - so I felt I better inquire with folks who know what they are talking about.

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Originally Posted by L.West

I thought so also but my husband who knows absolutely nothing about snakes and won't even hold my snake - told me I shouldn't have her outside because the suns rays would dehydrate her - so I felt I better inquire with folks who know what they are talking about.

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Only if you were to leave her there in the sun for hours and then not offer water for hours would you even be close to being at risk of that. :D Then I'd be more worried about it over heating than dehydrating.

Great - thanks for clearing that up - she really seems to enjoy the sunlight for short periods.

Agree with Spaniard. Def get what you want first. You could spend 500 per then realize after 3 you could have your dream snake. But i've seen HC albinos go for as low as 450 at shows. Pieds as low as 1250 as low white. There are some high white 09's out already for 2k so far, so figure somewhere in between depending on the amount of white first and unique patterning second. Also you can start an account or payment plan if you feel you'll spend your "snake money". Just make sure you get credit if you fall short, but most breeders do that without question.They want to work with you and keep your business.
Also pieds are like fingerprints , no two are identical. So make sure you get the one you want. Don't settle.

I will start doing more research and checking out what is available out there - I know that I want one that has a fair amount of patches - I don't want 95% white or anything like that more like 70/30 - I'll just have to look around while I am figuring out how to pay for it - LOL!!!!

Is the general rule of thumb - the younger the snake the cheaper it is??? I would much prefer an established one over a newborn but that may be way more expensive.

Yes in general adults are more expensive because of the time and money put into feeding, husbandry, etc. Typically with pieds you'll also see that the more white they have the more expensive they are as well.