Well, I got a bonus at work and have about $500-600 to spend on ball pythons. Right now, I have 5 normal and 2 pastel females (all 08's and should be good to breed this winter). I am breeding the pastels and 1 normal to my male Pin and the other 4 females to my bee this winter.

I was thinking about getting a male and female lesser or male and female butter. Obviously, I was thinking of buying hatchlings and letting them mature, breeding them in a couple years or so. I have two things I am debating:

1. Would you go with a lesser pair or butter pair (I know many people think they are the same)? I like them both and possibly may make the choice on what I see on Kingsnake or at the NARBC.

2. I know buying online from a reputable breeder is perfectly fine, but I was thinking of waiting for the NARBC in Houston (OCT 30th) to make a selection in person. I have only been to the NARBC in Dallas (a couple years ago) and I was not looking to buy anything, just looking because I love herps. I went to the regular Reptile Expo in Dallas a month ago, and their were about 5 BP breeders and I didn't see many lessers/butters there at all. I would think their should be many lesser/butter hatchings at the Houston NARBC.

I know their is probably no "right" answer, as long as I buy from a reputable breeder, buy what I want, and am patient, but I am just looking for opinions from those of you that have bought either online, at the NARBC, or both. Which was the better choice for you and what would you do? Thanks!