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Ball Pythons, WTF?

nicklandovich

nicklandovich

New member
So, I would like to own a BP at some point but that market seems insane. Standards are 50 on average than any variation adds 500 bucks if you are lucky. With so many available I don't see how those costs can be justified. Am I missing something?
 
Because there really aren't that many available, especially compared to corns. Average ball python clutch is 4 to 8 eggs. Many of the traits are codom leading to huge breeding potentials.

Pastels, mojaves, and spiders at least are not terribly expensive.
 
I guess their prevalence in the online market makes it seem like there are more of them. If one looks at bhb reptiles site and the like makes it seem as if they are teeming with 600-1000k+ pythons. I'll find a good ball eventually but I am still in love with colubrids a little more.
 
Hah! Go to the Daytona Beach Expo in August. Last couple of years that show has been about hip deep in ball pythons.
 
Many of the base morphs are in the $75 to $200 range. Combos increase in price quickly, because the chance of hitting a target is harder in small clutches. 4-10 with 4-6 being average is a big difference and the numbers colubrids produce, also no chance for a double clutch balls.

The prices are also falling. Everyone saw big $$$$ and dove into the ball market. The prices you see right now are 1/3 to 1/2 what those same morphs were a few years ago.
 
Just a few more years..... And it will back into the corns favor!!

Every month I go to the Columbus reptile show.

3/4 of the floor is ball pythons. Oddly enough.... They all pretty much look the same.

Then you see the one that is in fact..."different",

Problem is.... You could buy a 2013 vette cheaper!! ; ).


In Daytona last year.... I took a pic of a ball python that had a price tag

Of $40,000. And I suspect, there are more expensive ones out there!
 
Columbia show you can by normal balls for $30 tops.....you won't be able to get away from balls at most expos.
 
DSCF0746-01.jpg


This is from Daytona a couple of years back in 2011. Yes, that says $60,000.

What is wrong with a normal ball python? I got one at Daytona the same year for something like $20.
 
I bought my normal for $20 from the breeder.

My thought after the last expo ( because it's only ever ball pythons and two tables of corns ) is;
They all look the same!!! Why is mine $20 and that one $60,000??? They're all brown! I really love pieds, but those are the only ones that look different. With corns there is so much more variety.
 
AliCat37 said:
I bought my normal for $20 from the breeder.

My thought after the last expo ( because it's only ever ball pythons and two tables of corns ) is;
They all look the same!!! Why is mine $20 and that one $60,000??? They're all brown! I really love pieds, but those are the only ones that look different. With corns there is so much more variety.
Click to expand...

This is an adult banana, I don't see any brown on it.

Banana3158.jpg


Many of the morphs are not brown at all. It's just a different species that a different color base pool than corns.

The reason banana's were 60,000 that is because they were a brand new morph. Most breeders who were lucky enough to have one, just slapped a 60K price tag so they could show it off. They never in a million years expected them to sell for 60k. Bananas did go for a good bit of money behind the scenes, but 60k was a show off price.

I do the same stuff at shows. Sometimes I have to take an adult of some morph with me, so people can see the change the from baby to full grown. Even if you put "not for sale" on a display case, people will still ask, "how much?" So some breeders will put a stupid high price as a joke. It typically sparks a conversation and will bring customers to the table to see what on earth is 10,000.
 
If not brown, it looks like an albino. I know you like them, but I just don't see anything special with balls. They're either brown or albino, and other than the pieds, their patterns don't vary much.
 
AliCat37 said:
If not brown, it looks like an albino. I know you like them, but I just don't see anything special with balls. They're either brown or albino, and other than the pieds, their patterns don't vary much.
Click to expand...

Spider, Pinstripe, Genetic Stripe, Pied (just off the top of my head)... and even some of those can be combined with other morphs to create other pattern mutations (i.e. Jigsaw). What about the balls that look silver or grey? They're not all brown or yellow.
 
AliCat37 said:
If not brown, it looks like an albino. I know you like them, but I just don't see anything special with balls. They're either brown or albino, and other than the pieds, their patterns don't vary much.
Click to expand...

I beg to differ on all accounts. Go browse that list. Patterns, and colors are all over the place. Yes, the colors are a more limited palette than corns, but they are not just brown or albino.

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/

I don't care if someone likes them or not, I know not everyone does, and I am 100% cool with that. What irks me is when people are dismissive of something, without giving it more than a passing glance and assuming it's all one way.
 
You know I would really like to learn more about Ball Python morphs. Just because I think if I learned some of the subtle difference in all of these "brown" snakes I could appreciate them much more.

Autumn is there a morph guide out there for them? I assume there is. And what would be the price tag on a banana because Holy Cow?! I thought pieds were my favorite but I think I might have a new favorite. And with your care guide I might actually get comfortable in having one someday.
 
Christen said:
You know I would really like to learn more about Ball Python morphs. Just because I think if I learned some of the subtle difference in all of these "brown" snakes I could appreciate them much more.

Autumn is there a morph guide out there for them? I assume there is. And what would be the price tag on a banana because Holy Cow?! I thought pieds were my favorite but I think I might have a new favorite. And with your care guide I might actually get comfortable in having one someday.
Click to expand...

Bob Clark has one right now for $25K.
 
Christen said:
Opp never mind you just posted one.
Click to expand...

Hahahha! The hidden links get me every time too! I'll put some color on it.

I absolutely understand they are not for everyone, same way boas, corns, or hognose are not for everyone. We all like different things, and that is fine, it's what makes people individuals. But to be dismissive based on a limited exposure and very little research bugs the crap out of me.

That's like saying all corns are dirt cheap starter snakes. Gets you riled up a bit if you really appreciate corns doesn't it? All of us that love corns know they are more than a cheap throw-a-way snake. Or saying all hognose are brown. They are not and have some really cool patterns. Each species has it's own thing that makes people love it or hate it. You can't compare one to the other, you have to look at each species individually.
 
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