Damn you Choices!

[gabegt]

One day i said to myself, "Damn, I really want a snake." I've taken care of reptiles before (7 foot iguana, many frogs, and leo's) but i really started getting into snakes. Being really curious about animals, and wanting to be as knowledgeable about them as i can before purchasing, I started my trip at a local reptile store. This place isn't to big, however has everything you need to care for a snake. I said perfect! no need to order mice/rats, just take a 5 minute walk and boom!

Ok, so i talk to the owner and he tells me the three generic started snakes. Kings, Corns, and BPs. I find out they all average the same 5 foot length so that's great. Here is when things start to boggle my mind.

I thought i only had a choice between 3 types of snakes... basically i did... but when i said i was interested in BPs (because or the shape of there head) he said, "What kind?" Waah?? There is more then one?

Normal, Pastel, Jungle, Albino, Granite, Spider... etc.

WTF!?! How the hell do you choose just one?!?!

Now after a couple weeks of researching i now know why people have more then one snake.

Now I need help. I was captivated by Spiders, Pastels, and Jungle. How did you choose which will be your first? (I say first since i sense more to come.)

[likebull1]

Your best bet is not going by what other people want but to choose one that you really like.

Try looking in the photo gallerys or go to nerds website and see which one really grabs your attention.

[llovelace]

Lol, good luck and

[RebelYell83]

have fun deciding

[Ladydragon]

heh.. and another bp junky in the making. lol. welcome to the board as well.

Look at as many pictures of the different morphs out there as possible. Even compare several pictures of the same morph (i.e. pastels). this may help you eventually deicde which will be your FIRST bp.. the rest will eventually find their way to you.

My choice for my first bp was easy... I saw a picture of a piebald and said I need to have that snake. since I couldn't afford to buy a piebald outright I bought a pair of hets (look normal but carry the genetics)... everything else followed.. now I have 10 bps with two more on the way and the list of what i want is still growing Choose what appeals to you. Have fun looking!!

[Creeptastic]

Was easy for me, I simply cant afford that bumblebee, BEL, Albino, and all the other lovelies that I want so badly lol!

[gabegt]

Yah... I can't seem to find any around my area, and i'm not to knowledgeable about online purchases. There is a herp expo just by my area in about a week so i will try my luck there.

I bet even though i would love all the beautiful morphs I've seen on this site, I'm going to end up with a normal, not that there is anything wrong with that.

[likebull1]

Yah... I can't seem to find any around my area, and i'm not to knowledgeable about online purchases. There is a herp expo just by my area in about a week so i will try my luck there.

If you dont mind me asking, where are you located?

[Mettle]

How did I choose my first ball python? (That I've had for not even a month. ) WELL. I think at the end of the day HE chose ME. He's just a really nice normal and has that typical shy ball python personality that makes them such a lovely species... And yes, I sense more to come as well.

One thing to consider is that not all specimens from every morph type are equal. I've seen some stunning pastels and I've seen some pretty drab ones. In general, I'm not a fan of spiders, but there have been a couple that I would grab as I thought they were just really great examples of the morph. Since you're getting more as well, doing some research into what crosses make what (spider x pastel = bumble bee, for instance) might be a good call so you can plan for the future. Then there's the fact that some morphs change over time, for example, pastels often 'brown out' with age (which is something you generally can't tell when they're babies, but get hints at by looking at the parents). And lastly, off the top of my head, depending on if you want a male or a female and what's available of each morph type, you may be pointed towards one over another.

There are so so so many factors when choosing. But beyond morph type I'd say just ensure that whatever you take home is healthy and eating well when you get it and you'll be pleased. After all, like you said, there will be more.

Best of luck with your first ball python purchase!

[TheOtherLeadingBrand]

You don't choose one. LOL

Naturally, when *I* looked at pictures and selected my favorite one I was drawn to, it was the most expensive one there was (piebald)! Figures.