Greetings and question

[khara]

Hi. I'm a long time lurker, first time poster.

I became a BP Mom back in May when I got Sobe for my Birthday. This forum has been a huge help to me while calmed my "new parent" nerves. Sobe eats great and has really grown.

My question though is about color changes after sheds. Sobe has shed twice for me and he's getting lighter. After this last shed Sobe is more yellow and these brown spots are showing up in the dark fields along his back and his head has lightened up a lot. Really pretty but made me wonder if BP's stop changing after they reach a certain size or if they continue to change with each shed?

Thanks.

[HelicopterPilot]

I really thought that BP's grow darker as teh grow. Hmm I think it keeps getting more vibrant , then once it reaches its pinnicale its grows darker. I dunno . I am certainly not an expert

[khara]

Yeah. I thought they got darker too. That's why I was so surprised to see the light spots along his back. lol

[HelicopterPilot]

I am interested as in why it isn't getting darker. One theory I would say is that it comes from a long line of hmm how can I put it "pure " captive bred ball pythons and the effect of darkening has been reduced and reversed.

I personally won't be worried becuase some breeders try to purify their morphs every year and one of the goals is to reduce darkening (at least for me it would ).

You should be considering yourself to be lucky

[frankykeno]

Welcome to the forum Khara. I'm no expert on b.p.'s by a long shot LOL but our younger one (7 or 8 months old) has changed shades a couple of times after sheds. Nothing dramatic but a definite difference in the shade of certain markings.

We have a number of really experienced owners/breeders around here so I'm sure someone will pop in with an answer to this.

Oh and Sobe is a sweetie! Very pretty!

~~Jo~~

[khara]

Thanks Jo. It does make sheds even more exciting.I can look forward to seeing how much he changes in addition to seeing how nice a 'present' he leaves for me in his shed. I tell ya that was a shock in itself the first time he shed.

[frankykeno]

I love the whole shedding process and knowing my snakes are growing well and needing to shed.

Our adoptee/rescue Punkin was not in the greatest shape when we got her. Her first shed, she's looking a tad better so we are really, really looking forward to this shed she's in right now and hoping to see an even prettier snake emerge. For some odd reason her color almost appears to have a greenish tone to it, very different than our other b.p.


~~Jo~~

[rabernet]

And if you would get a darn camera Jo, we could SEE Baby and Punkin! LOL

[rabernet]

Khara,

You can really see the difference in the picture from your avatar of your little one and the most recent post shed picture in the coloration changes. Same snake, right? The markings on the neck are identical.

I had admired your snake when I was uploading some new pics of my guy!

[khara]

Jo, I'm glad that Punkin is improving. I really admire people who rescue and rehab ball pythons. I know it must have its stressful moments.

Hi Robin. Thanks. Yep, that's the same snake. I love taking pics of Sobe. I bet when he sees me he thinks oh here comes that crazy woman with that darn camera... again.