How do you choose?

[GotBalls?]

HI all,

I am in the process of trying to buy my very first ball python. I have a few options to choose from, from various breeders in BC and I can't decide what to do! There are some GORGEOUS males here, but they are a bit ( really minor) more expensive than the ones on the mainland. The ones on the mainland are a lovely female from one breeder and a couple of really cute males at another. All of them have lovely patterns and I really don't know how to decide!

The price difference between the ones here and the ones on the mainland, will be made up with ferry costs, so it's really not the issue.

I wasn't expecting to be able to get a female for the same price as the males, I'm just curious.. other than size, is there any major differences between males and females? Any differences in temperment?

Ug..I don't know how you guys all decide! They are all so perfect!

Nicole

[Tim_Cranwill]

Um... we just buy all of them! :D

Don't let price be an issue. Just get the one you like the best even if it's an extra $50. You won't regret or miss the $50 later on down the road but you WILL regret not getting the one you're most attracted to. :)

Hope that helped...

[Ron]

I agree with Tim, definitely get the one you like the most. If you plan on breeding in the future; get a female now.

[GotBalls?]

hehe but what if you like them all? I'm not planning on breeding, so the sex really doesn't matter. Jeff Favelle, who I know you all know...is being highly recommended by everyone and he has a really nice pastel, and two 50% het ghosts who are very nice as well. It would be the simplest and probably least stressful for the snake for me to get one from him because he lives nearby. If i were to get something from the mainland, the snake would be in transport for at least a couple of hours, but my dad has been bugging me to go visit him on the mainland, and that would definately be extra motivation to get my butt over there.
I really quite honestly can't decide what to do! Each breeder has something that really catches my eye so there are no obvious favorites...

[Ron]

Given your situation I would definitely buy one of Jeff's males. Not only is it the most covenient but I'm sure Jeff will be there to answer all of your questions.

[GotBalls?]

Thanks Ron,
you have been a big help. One of his 50% het ghosts really looks nice.. hopefully I will get to get see them soon.

Nicole

[Invictus]

Jeff Favelle came highly recommended to you for a reason. His snakes are among the upper echelon of snakes in this country. he has people all the way out east buying Rainbow Boas from him, when they could buy them locally. Why is that? Because Jeff's snakes are incredible. I don't know who the other breeder is that you are referring to (the one on the mainland), but if it is Henry Piorun, I can most certainly understand your confusion. :D His snakes are also among the best I've seen, and he is a fabulous person to do business with. (Not that I've done any actual transactions, but he's been very helpful with my inquiries! hehehe).

Choice is yours in the end. Get the one that FEEDS the best. That's how I pick BPs. :D

[GotBalls?]

Thanks Invictus!

Yes one of the other breeders is Henrey Piorun hehe. At least someone understands what I am going through!

But one of Jeff's 50% het ghosts is really growing on me. Every time I see the picture I love it more and more. I'm hoping I get the chance to go see them soon.. the anticipation is driving me crazy!

Thanks again,

Nicole

[maiden_canada]

yeah get it from jeff, like i said 5789437509834 times :) he would be a great person to work with in the long run

good luck whatever you choose

[maiden_canada]

Originally posted by Invictus
Jeff Favelle came highly recommended to you for a reason. His snakes are among the upper echelon of snakes in this country. he has people all the way out east buying Rainbow Boas from him

haha i think jeff told me he rejected someone's offer in Japan for a jcp! but yeah definatly get one thats eating the best. if it goes off feed always remember just keep tyring and dont get stressed about it

[foman]

Go with Jeff you cant' go wrong, he's on the island, he has sweet snakes, and he's a cool guy.:D

[Clownfishie]

As people have said -- pick the one who appeals to you the most :) It's definitely worth any extra money to get the snake that you fall in love with -- you'll regret it if you don't!

That being said, Jeff is a great guy with awesome animals, and if he's got one that you like, I wouldn't hesitate for a minute to get it off him! :D Plus being able to buy locally is always a plus...



Oh, and to answer your other question.... no, other than size there really isn't any difference between getting a male or a female :) If there's any possibility that you might decide to breed them in the future, I'd lean towards getting a female -- but at the same time if the one that you like the best is a male, then that's the way you should go :)

[Derrick]

Im not sure what a 50% het ghost goes for but personal opinion unless you are breeding why not get a nice normal? A50% het ghost is just a normal with one parent who was a ghost morph so it has a chance of carrying that gene but until proven its just another normal. If its a beautiful normal and its not costin you much more than a regular one fine otherwise just go for a nice normal normal:)

Also you mentioned a pastel. If you can afford one of those go for it they sure are pretty

[jfmoore]

Hi Nicole -

Congratulations on choosing a ball python. Thirty or forty years from now, the one you pick may still be going strong, even if you’re a bit creaky by then!

Regarding differences between the sexes – as everyone has alluded to, females seem to get bigger than males. But that doesn’t mean some males can’t get pretty hefty. I have one male who is 63 inches long and almost 3500 grams; another who is 57 inches and 2600 grams. But it took them a while to reach those sizes.

I’ve never noticed any differences in behavior between the sexes when the animals are hatchlings or juveniles. However, after sexual maturity is reached, the males usually go off their food a little earlier and maintain their fasts a little longer each year – it’s all about being ready and willing to spread those genes far and wide. And some males get a little testy during this time, especially, I think, if they have had access to mature females. It’s nothing more than expressions of dominance – one might push against you especially vigorously and hiss when you go to pick it up. Actually, “hiss” is a misnomer; more like “expel breath loudly.”

And during the breeding season I’ve noticed most females get a little more passive than usual, as evidenced by not being so quick to move out of your way when picked up or disturbed. It is really obvious with larger snakes like blood python females who may barely move as you struggle to push them across a cage, but my ball pythons act much the same way. Again, from a reproductive standpoint it makes sense to not be so quick to flee.

Other than that, I’d say go with your instincts. What you may consider beautiful or interesting might please someone else not at all. Good luck.

-Joan

[GotBalls?]

Thanks Joan! That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for 8)

Nicole