Looking to get into Breeding

[Highline Reptiles South]

I've got a couple of nice pastels girls and was thinking of breeding them. I have a lot of experience with herps but have never bred them much save for lizards.

I need to get a male to breed with my girls - but I'm just learning the genetics. I don't have the $$$s to spend on a $1000 designer bp, but am curious what common morphs I should probably look for to have the most desirable outcome.

For instance, I was thinking of breeding them an albino male. What would you look for for a beginner breeder?

[babyknees]

I'm still learning about the breeding aspect of ball pythons but in my humble opinion I'd suggest getting a male spider for your pastels. That way you'll be able to make bumblebees!! Or if you have the money you could spring for a bumblebee right off the bat to make more bumblebees, spiders, pastels, normals and MAYBE a killerbee. Don't get an albino unless your pastels are het. albino because the albino would have no visual effect on the offspring because it is a recessive trait. Good luck!

[xdeus]

The pastel gene wouldn't be that noticeable with an albino. I would suggest a base morph that complements the gene. The previous poster suggested a spider, but I would recommend looking into the genetic issues that spiders have if you are leaning in that direction. It's a good idea to look into the genetics of any morph you decide to work with.

There are many good morphs that work well with pastels: pinstripes, cinnamons/black pastels, mojaves, lessers, and even other pastels to make a super pastel. If you want to work more with recessive genes, look into clowns, piebalds, genetic stripes, and ghosts. Of course there are MANY others, but I'm sure you'll find something you like in the list I gave you.

Good luck!

[Highline Reptiles South]

thank you for the feedback. As I understand it , if you breed a pastel to a spider you should avg 25% spider, 25% bumblebee, 25% Pastel and 25% normal...

I think that would be a fairly slick mix

[chago11]

i would go with vanilla, enchi, fire, or spotnose

[Highline Reptiles South]

The other thing I'm thinking is if I can find a bumblebee reasonable you would have killer bee, pastels, superpastels and i think 8% normals...