My first clutch, guessing the genes, want to learn from you all!

[Bleh]

So I am going to post the pics below of my first ever clutch.

I'm making no secret of my very limited knowledge and am fully aware there is so much to learn, and even more to keep learning.

My intention right now is to be a low level enthusiast and to produce happy and healthy ball pythons each season, and learn while I do it. On the happy and healthy front, I feel I've done well this season with 10 good eaters!

My first clutch pairing was a Bell line chocolate* (dad) x enchi pinstripe (mum)

*I can't tell the difference between the bell line chocolate and a normal, and wasn't even aware he was until he was bought and paid for!

So here they are with my best guess to what the genes are;

Number 1: Enchi Pinstripe (has had two sheds now)
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Number 2: Pinstripe (currently in shed)
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Number 3: I'm going with BL chocolate here, but could just be a normal with and almost jet black contrast to it. The patterns have been mentioned and the possibility of trick or hurricane has been whispered (Mum hiding the genes).
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Number 4: Enchi (is in shed but usually resembles No. 10). This one also has two lovely little golden blush spots on the front of the face.
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Number 5: Pinstripe
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Number 6: Enchi Pinstripe
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Number 7: As with Number 3, BL chocolate or normal, but this one has also been mentioned for trick / hurricane.
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Number 8: Enchi Pinstripe (currently in shed, usually looks like No. 1)
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Number 9: Pinstripe (and a slightly darker contrast to the others).
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Number 10: This one is my favourite, by far. The colours pop and is a pleasure on the eye each and every time I take it out. It also has golden blush spots on the front of its face, but there's something about this one that gives it an edge of Number 4. Even a local breeder has "examined" this one without suggestion. I've not sexed them yet, but if this is a male, I'm probably going to keep it...

My best guess: Enchi!
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As I say, I'm eager to learn so please help me by pointing out where I may be incorrect, and why! Thank you.

[nikkubus]

I'm not super familiar with Bell line of Chocolate. Can you post a pic of dad?

I agree 3 and 7 have Hurricane/Trick markers, and so does 2, 4, 9.

None of these scream Chocolate to me. Was mom a virgin, or is there some small chance she had retained sperm from another male?

[Bleh]

Was mom a virgin, or is there some small chance she had retained sperm from another male?

This was her first pairing. I've had her since she was <200g so no chance of any retention there!

I'll post a fresh pic of Dad in the next post.

[Bleh]

[IMG][/IMG]

Here is Dad. He's an absolute gent and the one who spawned the interest almost 5 years ago.

I've asked what markers define him as a BL chocolate when I started to develop more of an interest the genetics, and I still can't say I can see a difference between him and a normal. But nor do I care that much as he's going to be with us until his very last breath. It would just be good to be confident of what genes are in any offspring!

And my only experience with any other chocolate was a super so couldn't compare in any way as completely different in appearance (it was nice though, just glad was wallet was not full enough that day).

[nikkubus]

Well, whatever is causing the Trick-like markers, it came from Dad. He is gorgeous. Some of the non-color markers for Chocolate are missing or to a lesser degree, so those won't be of much help. I think you are going to have to take a stab based on the richness of color, but keeping in mind Enchi and Pin both mess with that. Sorry I can't be more help, I've tried looking up more info on the Bell line but there isn't much :/

Taking a stab at it, 3, 7, 9, and 10 look like they have the darkest blacks and pretty rich color that isn't explained by enchi and pin. I'd get a good look at 2 again after shed and see if he/she still has such dark black still after, maybe him/her too but I'm pretty sure it's shed that's making the black seem darker.

[Bleh]

I'd get a good look at 2 again after shed and see if he/she still has such dark black still after, maybe him/her too but I'm pretty sure it's shed that's making the black seem darker.

I'll post fresh pics of the ones in shed in a few days, once they're fresh

No. 10 though. Like the eyes on my leucistic, the camera does not do it justice.

Thank you again. You're always very informative and helpful.

[Bleh]

I'll post fresh pics of the ones in shed in a few days, once they're fresh

Here they are, in fresh paint...

Number 2:
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Number 4:
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Number 8:
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All ten have now had two sheds and I don't want to part with any... but the boss, she says otherwise

[nikkubus]

I think they look pretty normal in color after shed.

Boss is right, lol. They are all pretty, but you can't keep every single one if you want to keep breeding even cooler ones

I'm with you on 10 being especially amazing, and 9 would be another top pick for me.

[Bleh]

Boss is right, lol. They are all pretty, but you can't keep every single one if you want to keep breeding even cooler ones

Yeah she is! And 10 is a consideration if male with the thought of putting enchi into something, maybe chancing some supers with my BEL in a few seasons time...

Would you agree with my proposals as to what they are otherwise? But with 'possible trick' for the ones with markers?

As always, thanks for your input.

[nikkubus]

Yeah, seems right!