What Do You Think of This Super Pastel

[rossi46]

If you have to post a picture asking if a morph is a morph, then chances are it either isn't, or it is a poor example.

x1000!

To the OP, I would absolutely walk away from this deal. There are simply way too many quality, reputable breeders out there selling excellent examples of countless morphs for you to drop $500 on this snake. Why would you run the risk? No matter what that snake is (and having any doubt is always a bad thing), it's overpriced.

Have you not checked out the fuanaclassifieds? Or kignsnake marketplace? Spend some time looking through the ads; if you see a snake that piques your interest, cross-reference the buyer's name in the fauna BOI. Or ask around here.

I did months of research before buying my bp, and was able to put together a list of nearly 30 reputable breeders from across the country who I had full confidence in. I knew they had quality snakes and fair pricing. If you'd like, send me a PM and I can forward you the list I put together. When spending hard-earned money, there's simply no reason to have to resort to a "is this snake really a _______ morph?" thread to determine what you're looking at.

[BPGuy]

To the OP.......I have read through this thread and having been a newbie myself just a couple years ago I know it can be overwhelming asking for an opinion and recieving so many different responses. Unfortunately I am going to toss out one more opinion for you (my own )

The consensus in the group is that generally regular pastels sell for $150-200 and supers sell for $450-550. This is either a regular pastel, a very nice high quality regular pastel, which should be in the higher price range upwards of $200......OR......it is a very low quality super pastel, which should be in the lower price range of $450.

If you are NOT wanting to breed, and you just want a nice pretty pet, I would get yourself a nice pastel. I highly doubt the sellers, who believe this is a super, are going to cut the price in half for you (but there's no harm in trying I guess), so if I were you I would go find yourself a nice pastel for $200.

If you PLAN on breeding down the road, and you definately want a SUPER pastel, this is NOT an animal you want to breed, there is too much hesitation amongst your fellow breeders here trying to distinguish whether or not this is a super. If you are going to spend the money, go find a reputable breeder who has a NICE high quality animal that there is no doubt in YOUR mind that it is a SUPER pastel, and buy it.

If you have to post a picture asking if a morph is a morph, then chances are it either isn't, or it is a poor example. Both of those are not what you want for breeding purposes. But again, if you just want a nice pretty pet, then at least go find a fairly priced snake.....and perhaps spend the money you save on a nice enclosure for it (or bank it away for another snake down the road because if you have not yet read the fine print, this hobby IS addicting and you WILL get another...there is a guarantee on that....)


Good luck with whatever you decide and welcome to the herp addiction!

Thanks for putting everything in perspective. Your comment about me getting another one is somewhat ironic given my personal transformation in the past 9 months or so. Nine months ago, I was afraid of all snakes and had no desire to have one in my house, let alone hold one. However, as a result of my eldest son's Boy Scout reptile project, we ended up with our first ball python in the house. I quickly became fascinated with it, which resulted in my younger son getting his own. Soon, I became a "jealous" dad (for lack of better word) and wanted my own. Every week I would go to the pet store to buy rats for my sons' BPs, I became even more fascinated by the myriad of colors and patterns and just spent time admiring the BPs the store had to offer. When I expressed to my wife that I had a desire to buy my own BP, she was less than thrilled about bringing a third snake into the house (not because she is afraid of them but for other reasons). At this point, I wouldn't dare think about even bringing a fourth one into the house (as much as I can feel the BP addiction growing in my bones ). So, this one will be it for me--at least for the foreseeable future.

As to this particular specimen, when I went back to the store yesterday and saw her again, I realized that the one photo I posted really didn't do her justice. I think camera phone and lighting didn't do a good job of showing the blushing (which I did not know to look for prior to starting this thread Sunday evening). Thus, I was just curious to see if the additional photos made anyone change their mind.

[BPGuy]

x1000!

To the OP, I would absolutely walk away from this deal. There are simply way too many quality, reputable breeders out there selling excellent examples of countless morphs for you to drop $500 on this snake. Why would you run the risk? No matter what that snake is (and having any doubt is always a bad thing), it's overpriced.

Have you not checked out the fuanaclassifieds? Or kignsnake marketplace? Spend some time looking through the ads; if you see a snake that piques your interest, cross-reference the buyer's name in the fauna BOI. Or ask around here.

I did months of research before buying my bp, and was able to put together a list of nearly 30 reputable breeders from across the country who I had full confidence in. I knew they had quality snakes and fair pricing. If you'd like, send me a PM and I can forward you the list I put together. When spending hard-earned money, there's simply no reason to have to resort to a "is this snake really a _______ morph?" thread to determine what you're looking at.

A few folks have now suggested checking faunaclassifieds and kingsnake marketplace, which I have done. Maybe its irrational of me, but I feel more comfortable buying a snake that I've seen in person. I've also periodically checked Craigslist but haven't found anything yet. That having been said, I know I'm also not patient enough to wait for something to hit Craigslist.

[BHReptiles]

A few folks have now suggested checking faunaclassifieds and kingsnake marketplace, which I have done. Maybe its irrational of me, but I feel more comfortable buying a snake that I've seen in person. I've also periodically checked Craigslist but haven't found anything yet. That having been said, I know I'm also not patient enough to wait for something to hit Craigslist.

Another option is going to a reptile expo. There you'll be able to look at the snakes, hold them, etc. You can also compare a ton of snakes! I'm going to the NARBC in August I'm hoping to bring home a snake or two for my collection.

[I-KandyReptiles]

He doesn't have an expo near him till November.

[bcr229]

A few folks have now suggested checking faunaclassifieds and kingsnake marketplace, which I have done. Maybe its irrational of me, but I feel more comfortable buying a snake that I've seen in person.

That's not at all irrational. I purchase plenty of things online - clothes, toys, electronics, food, firearms - but I'm also still new enough to snakes that I prefer to put eyes and hands on the animal if possible before pulling out my wallet. What I did was look through FaunaClassifies and KingSnake to find reputable breeders within a 3-4 hour drive of me. I came up with about a dozen, so I just keep an eye on what they have for sale, and I travel to them if they have an animal I want.

[MarkS]

If you like the snake, then buy it. Regardless of what people are saying the colors are not bad. I'd estimate that she's somewhere at 600+ grams and is still fairly bright, taking into account her sex, age, size, color, temperament, willingness to feed. She's not a bad snake at all. Offer the owner $400.00 and see what they say.

[BHReptiles]

He doesn't have an expo near him till November.

I know. I'm just offering that up for potential purchases. We all know they will happen eventually. If he plans it right...he can pick up one or two when the expo rolls around.

[rossi46]

If I was interested in a super pastel, I'd jump on this one; especially at $350 and from a trustworthy breeder:

http://jkobylkareptiles.com/store_fr...7_M-SUPPAST_01

http://jkobylkareptiles.com/images/a...SupPast_01.jpg

[tikigator]

If you like the snake, then buy it. Regardless of what people are saying the colors are not bad. I'd estimate that she's somewhere at 600+ grams and is still fairly bright, taking into account her sex, age, size, color, temperament, willingness to feed. She's not a bad snake at all. Offer the owner $400.00 and see what they say.

That's a good point as well. I understand you feel more comfortable buying something you can see and hold. Especially if this is your first snake you want to feel comfortable with it. The snake looks nice, as in docile. That's important if you plan on playing it, taking it out often, handling it, letting it chill while you watch TV etc.

Here's one thing you can do, go in and say listen, I really like your snake, but I found another online from a very reptutable breeder (tell them, everyone who knows a hint about ball morphs should know Justin Kobylka) for $350. I dunno if that's shipped but shipping would run you around $50 so you'd be spending $400 anyway. So tell them, I really like yours, I can offer you $400. See what they say. They might say wow he found one for $150 less....maybe we should take his offer. If they don't, then you can see how you feel about it.

Whatever you decide, you will end up with a really nice snake. Hats off to you for doing a little research and not buying the first thing you saw without asking for some opinions, when in doubt, ask!....