Hello all,

I am fairly new to the world of ball pythons despite me owning a few many years ago. Since then I really got into keeping/breeding leopard geckos which can be quite easy to care for and breed successfully. But if you wanted to make any sort of a name for yourself in the industry you really needed to be able to prove out the genetics of the animals you were selling. Breeding geckos to which you did not know truly and with out a doubt the genes behind them was negatively looked upon. Now I know the leopard gecko scene does not nearly come close to the ball pythons in regards to morphs and genetics but as a newer owner and enthusiast it seems that keeping track of the genes in our snakes is not nearly as important. Am I wrong?

Browsing from site to site I see countless name after names of different morphs or nicknames for morphs. I am not sure if it is just me being new or the fact that it is nearly impossible for me to figure out what is "real" and what is an actually proven out morph. I do get that nicknames happen and there will be people that breed something that looks different and will slap a name on it to make some money. But as a person that likes to know the genetics behind my animals, what I am I supposed to do?

One last thing and then I will shut up As with geckos spending money on a pair of geckos tends to lean toward buying a solid female but really putting your time/effort/money into a stud male. Does this hold true to ball pythons? With my geckos I really took my time to find that one perfect male that had the genes I wanted and was a truly beautiful gecko.

I truly appreciate anyone that has taken the time to read this post. Any guidance or clarity to this subject would be very much appreciated.

-Gregory