I wish I had found this site earlier, and listened to the advice so readily, and freely given. Last year I decided I would buy myself a BP for my b'day, so I went to the local shop and get one. Actually, I had to go back after I first went 'cause i wanted a female, and the kid working at the time couldn't say for sure which were which. I came back later and the owner had one set aside that he was 'sure' was a female, so I bought her and happily took her home to the established set up, and let her settle in. Now I start all my research into the different kinds, and breeding, and everything. Then one day, I come across an ad for two 50% het pied brothers for an outstanding price. This time I do my homework, find out the guy is reputable, call the breeder he got them from, and go ahead and do it. So now I have a female getting close to breeding size, 2 het to pick from and breed with her, and my wife says, "Are you sure Cleo (my first one) is female?" Knowing how often she has pretty reasonable doudts, I make an appointment and take her in for an exam. Guess what? Cleo is a Cole! Now I have 3 males, an irritated wife that wants to see babies, no female, and a snake that I have become attached to, that really has no place in my breeding scheme. I don't want to dump him just cause he is male. I really want to say to anyone just getting into snakes, DO WHAT THE PEOPLE HERE SAY!!! Visit the store often, have them feed the one you want in front of you, and demand on sex verification if you are buying for a particular reason. I had no problems with him, eats well and loves being handled, so I will find a place for him. Who knows, maybe I will breed him later, and discover a whole new morph!!