Desert Storm???

[fredanthony]

Someone on KS did say that he had successfully bred females, but I don't remember who it was.

Personally, I don't think Pro Exotics and other reputable breeders would be selling the females for full price if they were aware of any flaws in the genetics. Though, that doesn't mean that the flaws are absent...

A definitive answer to the question may have to wait a bit until the morph isn't so new.

Robert Seib has produced two or so desert combo clutches, might be who you're referring to.. Great snakes, I have one his desert combo females, beautiful animal

[J.Vandegrift]

Personally, I am waiting a while to get in on the deserts. I have no idea if there is any truth to the rumors about females producing, but that KS thread was definitely not the first time that I had heard about issues with the females. Either way, I would get a male first just so I could make more combos and recoup my initial investment faster.

[JayCee]

When you think about how long it can take to prove animals out with only one founding animal, it really hasn't been around that long. I don't know if the original desert was a male or female

From what I've read, it was a male and produced soon after it was imported. No mention as to what sex the first offspring were, but there should be a decent number of desert females that are 5+ years old by now.

Multiple big breeders seem to like to take pictures/videos of new cool things. I would think that desert females on eggs would be one of those things you would want to take pictures/videos of.

If there were multiple pictures posted there wouldn't be any question. Since no one is posting any pictures, it leaves doubt.

[JayCee]

Both Stan Chiras and Peter Kahl, unbeknown to them, were working with two separate imported Desert balls lines at the time. It was first assumed that the desert morph was recessive, because they resembled the desert ghost mutation. While comparing breeding efforts, they later proved that the Desert gene was a simple co-dominant mutation. In theory, 50% of a clutch should be Deserts when bred to a normal phase ball python.

In conversation, Stan explained to me that the Desert ball appears to be somewhat of a dwarf sized ball python that will not bulk up in size as some balls do. The male Desert I had purchased from Stan resembled more a corn snake than a ball python at its yearling size. Stan insisted for me to pair him up with some select females this season. “He may be little, but he’ll do the job”, he assured me.

We can only imagine what a super desert would look like if it proves itself to exist this season. In the meantime, we are proud to work with our Chiras line Desert ball. One step closer, in our pursuit of the Desert Spider.

Just found this little tidbit posted in 2009.

[LGL]

If I remember correctly, the orginal Desert animals were indeed small (as stated in the post above), but that subsequent generations of Deserts (F1, F2...) grew to normal Ball Python sizes. From what I've seen, read, and heard, I don't believe that there are any issues with female Deserts' reproduction.

[Failshed]

Just found this little tidbit posted in 2009.

Well, it's in the air for me. I think I would be waiting this one out until it's proven false or not. It's interesting to watch to say the least.

[Failshed]

Robert Seib has produced two or so desert combo clutches, might be who you're referring to.. Great snakes, I have one his desert combo females, beautiful animal

Weight, age, and length on your female?

[Big Gunns]

Very interesting thread. It has a familiar ring to it. BG really wishes he wasn't even looking at it, but apparently BG has been up to no good on this topic so it looks like he has no choice but to deal with it.

Here's a leeeetle FYI for everyone involved. "The Truth" doesn't even know 1/4 what BG knows you fools. Whether it's good or bad BG will keep to himself right now.

GRRRR. BG better get some rest. Sleep deprivation makes him cranky. There are free snakes to the mod/admin that informs BG if anyone wants this thread removed. Removing it does not serve the community best, so hopefully it stays to resolve this matter for good.

BG only asks for patience fans. You'll just have to hang in there until BG speaks to a couple more people.

ps. on a lighter note. BG may post some snake pics for a change.

[don15681]

I also read about the females slow growing. even if this turns out to be true, this is still an awsome gene to have in your collection. just about every morph breed to this gene turns to gold. look at the pins, spiders, enchies, fires to name just a few. already purchase mine from P.E. and if it turns out that there will be a super form of this gene, what a bonus.

[Big Gunns]

I also read about the females slow growing. even if this turns out to be true, this is still an awsome gene to have in your collection. just about every morph breed to this gene turns to gold. look at the pins, spiders, enchies, fires to name just a few. already purchase mine from P.E. and if it turns out that there will be a super form of this gene, what a bonus.

More FYI. Big Gunns loves Deserts and their combos. Loves them.