WTF is wrong with my BP

[JoshJP7]

couldnt agree with you more steve but I dont think the ignorance showed up until he started talking about the market... saying your going to undercut everyone so that other people can afford the snake is clearly showing ignorance. Theres nothing wrong with ignorance, were all ignorant in some way, but I got the impression he was speaking like he knew what he was talking about... to me thats the problem arose. Either way I had the same thoughts when I first got into BP's... i just kept it to myself so only I knew i was a clown for thinkin it

[anendeloflorien]

couldnt agree with you more steve but I dont think the ignorance showed up until he started talking about the market... saying your going to undercut everyone so that other people can afford the snake is clearly showing ignorance. Theres nothing wrong with ignorance, were all ignorant in some way, but I got the impression he was speaking like he knew what he was talking about... to me thats the problem arose. Either way I had the same thoughts when I first got into BP's... i just kept it to myself so only I knew i was a clown for thinkin it

Lets try to remember here that we're talking about a TEENAGER! I know it might be going back a ways for some people but try to remember the mindset you had back then! I think for most people it was "I am always right and I know more about the world than anyone else" Lol eventually though, you grow up and realize how utterly stupid we actually are

[blackcrystal22]

I can relate slightly. I have two topics out there that some may have specifically noticed. Feeding Problems and Future Breeding Possibilities.
But let me let you know a thing about this, I'm 17 yes and just as well in high school, but I'm not getting my first snake and getting too excited. I've had snakes for the last FIVE years. I've worked with breeding corns, and even had one of my snakes lay a clutch of 9 accidentally! I knew that getting a ball would be a big step when it comes to feeding time.. but I didn't realize that any snake would want to refuse live, so I just didn't know what to do.

When I say FUTURE breeding possibility, I mean college. I might breed corns this upcoming season but for balls? Not at least for 2-3 years. I'm hardly ready and I know what it takes, and I don't have it yet.

So basically, people are getting so upset with you, exotics, because the way your making it out to be is that your a spoiled teen who has no experience and wants to be a breeder when it took some breeders over 5 years to be successful? It's kind of insulting to them..

Breeding will never be just like it is in a book, you have to know from experience over time.

Also, bashing Starmom unnecessarily = not a cool move in my book.

[hoo-t]

couldnt agree with you more steve but I dont think the ignorance showed up until he started talking about the market... saying your going to undercut everyone so that other people can afford the snake is clearly showing ignorance. Theres nothing wrong with ignorance, were all ignorant in some way, but I got the impression he was speaking like he knew what he was talking about... to me thats the problem arose.

Only difference is that in the second case, he didn't KNOW he was ignorant about the plan.

Either way I had the same thoughts when I first got into BP's... i just kept it to myself so only I knew i was a clown for thinkin it

I almost posted the same thing earlier. I had the big plans to breed morphs and sell cheap. Was going to make a killing and end up being the next Ralph, Kevin, ... I, too, kept that part of my plan to myself. Of course, I'm still not at the point where I could implement it even if I wanted to, but I now realize that its a completely unreasonable plan. Exotics has the benefit of learning that very early on. He probably still doesn't fully understand all the reasons why, but he knows there are quite a few people telling him it just ain't gonna work. Now that he KNOWS that he has things to learn from that perspective, I bet he starts seeking that knowledge as well.

Steve

[anendeloflorien]

Also, bashing Starmom unnecessarily = not a cool move in my book.

Yeah! Nobody messes with my snake mommy We get angry

[darkangel]

Riiiiiiight.

[frankykeno]

Folks, I will just remind you all to please try to stay on topic and not coming running to defend anyone or create lines in the sand please. If the point here is to educate a new keeper about some realities of the world of breeding snakes, let's stick to that as best we can.

Exotics, please try to understand that no one is bashing you per se. They are however surprised that you have such a short timeline in mind. Breeding any living thing starts first with learning about that species, about their normal care, their normal needs, illnesses, etc. Breeding snakes, especially ball pythons, places these animals under stress which though quite normal for a breeding situation, may present you with issues you cannot identify or manage appropriately quite yet.

No one is telling you not to dream or work towards that dream. Most here are trying to caution you to be more realistic and to slow down and get the basics down pat first. Something like expecting 8 eggs out of a clutch is a good example. Quite a lot of ball python females do not lay 8 eggs. Of the ones that do, many times all 8 eggs do not survive to hatch. Assuming the number is a "normal" clutch will likely get you disappointed and mess with any timeline you've thought of so far. That kind of knowledge comes from experience and a learning curve that allows for learning oneself and from others.

Enjoy your learning time is my best advice before you rush to put yourself and your snakes under the stress of breeding expectations.

[ama1997]

Yep, scales are still there - just keep humidity up for its next shed. BPs are head shy, nothing to worry about just keep it in mind when handling so you do not stress them out too much!

This is what a scar on a BP will look like (depending on the type of injury and where) This is my male, not sure what happened to him as he had this scar before me and the previous owner had him.



You can see the difference between this and the dry area on your snakes head.

I have a male with that same scar. He was like my 2nd ball python. At the time I kept them in tanks. I used cage carpet and he had got under the carpet and I guess from rubbing under the carpet. He got a raw spot on the top of his head just like that. Caught it in time and switched back to aspen. But it was bad enough to leave him with a scar. Hes my poss DBL Het VPI snow. So when I seen it I freaked out a bit.