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Hello Everyone,

I let this known Below in a post to Boaphiles, but I thought I would let everyone here know this.

The FOUNDING FATHER of all Motleys passed away. It has taken a long time for me to want to talk about this because he was such a special animal to me.

It is a good feeling to know that everyone can trace their Columbian Motley bloodline back to my place, and know that NORMAN was the FOUNDER. He was a very special snake. He had an amazing personality, and the best breeding animal I have ever had.

He passed away a year ago after breeding his skin off in 2005. He started having runny stools, and so I sent him to Scott Stahl to figure it out. He had every test you can run in the BOOK on the animal, and it came back that he had a stomach infection that was impossible to treat. He was put to sleep because he was in Pain.

WE burried part of him under our tree that is right infront of the new snake building. I really owe my business now to this ONE animal. What a great snake he is.

As we will see in the 2007 season, there are MANY looks and traits attached to the Motley gene. I have a few in the back room I have yet to show people, but i'm sure they will start coming forth in the next year.

I remember talking to Pete Kahl shortly after his founding Albino Male Died, and he was really sad. I know how he felt. It is cool for Pete to see all the Many neat looks that can be traced back to his place from the original founder. That is how I feel about Norman. As I see others work with it, and add a taste of their talents and looks to what they think would be cool to the Motley, it is so cool for me to see. EXAMPLE (hotley, and other bloodlines, too many to mention)

I post this NOT for Sympathy, but just to let people know there are so many GREAT things that can come from ONE animal. All it takes is One.

I'll soon post a tribute to him on my page linked from Kingsnake and show all my favorites looks came from this ONE animal.

PS Shane Kinney, Thanks for continuing the name, and I hope Jr. does well for you this year. He was one of Normans BEST.

Take Care, Jeremy

Sorry to hear about the lose. Keep up the great work you have been doing for the community, boas, and the ever growing passion in people to create the next amazing animal. Motleys are the next major purchase I am budgeted for in Daytona. There is something in them that I think we have only surfaced on and the amazing creations from this point on will be in honor of Norman and you as well. Our condolences are with you Jeremy.

It's always a bummer to loose an animal. Especially an animal that is the foundation for something that you really prize and love. I have lost many animals over the years, but I always comfort myself knowing that those genes live on. Normal was the first of many wonderful Motleys, with many more Motley combo animals still to come. We essentially have not seen the last of Norman but only the tip of the iceberg.

I for one am very happy I have some of Norman's genes in my collection. They will help mix it up and make lots more cool stuff in the future. Norman has a number of, I believe Great Grandkids, that were born here and possibly more later this year.

Two of Norman's Great Grandchildren that hope to continue the legacy:

Long live Norman's Genes!
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AND STUNNING GRANDKIDS they are!!!! WOW!!!! I'm sure he would be PROUD. Keep up the good work. It will be fun to see what you'll do to use your Talented eye in adding to the Spice and fun of this hobby.

I don't know if you noticed, but that female in with Norman is a female you produced. She was a SCREAMING pastel. She gave me slugs and a few normal pastels. I did use one of those pastels this year with a Motley and they have some awesome variations in color. That Pastel gene is fun to work with.

Take Care, Jeremy

Thanks for the kudos on the Motleys. They are great fun and changing quite a bit as they get larger.

Norman was 17 years old? I had always assumed Norman was imported as a baby. You mean he was not a baby when he was at Strictly Reptiles? Someone said he sat there for sale for a year before Ron St. Pierre bought him but wasn't that around 1993 or 1994? I had also heard that the price was $500. That was what was in the back of my head. To be 17 years old, Norman would have to been imported as a five or six year old animal if my memory of 1993 or 1994 is correct. I always like to have the most accurate history possible. Misinformation is rampant for some reason. It's good to know the truth and be able to keep repeating it for the new folks that keep coming into the hobby. Seventeen huh? Wow. Interesting.
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Jeff,

I'm actually quite surprised by this post YOU ask for TRUE information in the post, and yet you bring up IN public PRINT "Someone said 500" and you comment on that return.

In my opinion, that is very dangerous, and I hear it come out of you quite a bit. I think it is much more responsible to go TO the source, and find out before you post what you HEAR!!! I have heard you do it quite a bit with the Motley project, yet I would bet 1000 bucks you have never even Spoken to Ron St. Pierre. There is WAY too much HEARSAY!!!!!!!!

If you want the TRUTH about the Motley, it would be very easy to send me an email, and I could give you all the FACTS as I know them. There is a Lot more to the STORY then the 2 Motleys sitting in Strickly reptiles. You should HEAR the truth of the story. It is quite fascinating. To be honest, I had to find out a LOT more then Ron was willing to tell me, and that is not a slam on Ron. Ron gave up a LOT more then 500 bucks. I owe Ron more then you know.

I'll give you one little piece of Motley history, and if you want more, I'm just an email away. Ron St. Pierre traded 35 bearded dragons for that Motley. Back in the date he did that trade, Beardeds were quite expensive. So, 500 is WAY WAY off.

I bring up this post because you called me out, and I do appreciate it. I agree with you. Facts are VERY important. However, facts should be from the source. Not, I HEARD this or that. I see you do that way too often, and I would expect more from someone like you. I don't say this as an attack although it may sound that way. I do respect you, and what you have done. I could give you many examples, but I don't want to turn this into mud slinging. I'm guilty of the same thing.

I would go to the SOURCE and not have others TELL you what they THINK they know. Just me personally. I think that we could all do better on this, and that would really help the new guys.

I say this with respect, and nothing more. I enjoy your posts, and they are very good to read. I say this not to be discouraging in your posting, but I just ask for a little more responsibilty.

Jeremy Stone

Respectfully, why not make that information public? We are all quite interested. Perhaps if you did that it would stop all the false rumors too? I feel the reason for the glut of crazy information is the lack of real 'horse's mouth' information around. I'd love to see a place where all these stories of how the morphs came to us, are preserved for the rest of future herpers.

Respectfully,
Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com

Caden,

I have made the information Public before. I may not have gone into Such great detail, and I sometimes I don't because I don't want to bring up people who May not want to be brought up. I also can be very long winded, and boring to read. So, I'm sure you can dig it up on my old posts or old web pages, but I'll try to do a better job in the description part on my Page.

Thanks for the reply Caden

Jeremy

Thank you very much,
Caden
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com

How things are.....I always heard from close friends of Ron he traded Cuban Knight Anoles for them.....who would have thought! LOL.

First off, Jeff, if I haven't said it already, I'll say it now- Those are some awesome motleys you produced!

Second, Jeremy, when I first heard about Norman passing I was really bummed, especially after seeing him in person and knowing how special he was to you and his story and legacy is amazing! I'm sure happy to have one of his sons, (Norman Jr.- my favorite snake) even if I don't have any motley babies from him yet!

Here's a couple pics of Norman Jr. working a sunglow and a PC Possible super salmon female this season:

Hey Jeremy, so sorry to hear that. I know he has been and will continue to be missed. It is amazing to see how prolific he and his offspring have been. Each one with the trait can be traced back to one founding animal. I have three from Bill Kirby, not sure how many genrerations away they are. At least grandkids if not great grandkids. They came from a motley bred to a pastel and the subtle colors are really cool:

Motley M1

Motley M2

Motley F1

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Thanks,

Dave Colling

www.rainbows-r-us-reptiles.com

0.1 Wife (WC)
0.2 kids (CBB, selectively bred from good stock)

LOL, to many snakes to list, last count:
12.25 BRB
12.14 BCI
And those are only the breeders

lots.lots.lots feeder mice and rats

Dave,

Thanks for your post. Yes, Bill Kirby got some AWESOME Norman stock. Bill was very particular in the way he wanted his Motleys to look like, and he made sure he got that. Those are beautiful Motleys, and Bill did Norman proud. Best of luck with them. They are wonderful Animals to work with.

Take Care, Jeremy

Sorry to hear your bad news Jeremy ... however as you mentioned, what a great legacy for a mutation to have ... the Motleys boas are one of the most spectacular mutations of ANY species of snakes and I'm sure, like many others, I'm looking forward to seeing all the new Motley Designer Morphs still to be produced.

All the best for this breeding season, cheers, John
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www.johnberryreptiles.com
www.designermorphs.com - the most complete guide to boa & python mutations, morphs and hybrids

Jeremy I know how much the motley project has ment to you all these years. Youve done a great job with these amazing animals. And I think one of the reasons the boa market is where it is. We all know who the REAL Motley king is

Thanks Stuart,

I would have to say Norman is the Motley king if you ask me. However, I'm not to fond of Kings. They are very short lived, and overrated. LOL. However, I do believe C Nick is a Motley King. LOL I prefer Democracy. Please NO HILLARY in 2008!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, I'm staunch republican. lol

How are things going for you? I loved your post above. I did a group breeding with 4 male DH blizzards to one female this year, and it looked like your Alibno tail except MASS WAR on all the snakes. It is soo amazing that in just one shed, they shed that out.

Hope you are lovin Florida.

Best of luck to you. Utah is Bountiful. LOL (Inside Joke)

I remember him at Strictly sitting there for about a year till Ron bought him. 1,500 I think was the asking price......no one bought them! Incredible huh? But I also remember there was two of them???Was the second a female or???

You know there are MANY stories about the other one, and I can't quite CONFIRM that the second one is the one that Don Sodderberg had for auction in 97/98. That was a Female. That one did pass away though.

I actually think we'll see quite a few more POP up Motleys in the future. We have seen it in Argentines, CA's. So, the trait isn't as RARE as we would think. What is incredible is that they have the SAME dominant apperance. (We don't know with the ARgentines yet).

The Motley story is a Very facinating one if you even go before Strickly.

Take Care, Jeremy

I remember seeing pics of the motley in a grass shot, before they were available for retail sales, and there was always two of them with a hypo and albino in the same shot? I dont remember quite, but I always recalled two of them in rons pics.

It actually may have been 50 bearded Dragons instead of 35. I really can't remember. LOL

Hey there. That picture you are talking about in the grass was a picture I used to use on my old web page. It took that in my old back yard. "Like Father Like Son" I also had the FUTURE FANTASY picture I took back in 98 that is NOW a reality. The picture with the Hypo and the Albino.

You may also be refferring to pictures Ron used in the VIVARIUM magazine a long long time ago, and are getting them both mixed up a little. I used to look at the VIVARIUM picture and DROOL. It was very cool.

Take Care, Jeremy

Lol, probably....anyways, I saw the motleys at strictly, and at the time, too much money for something everyone was putting down as non genetic....plus I think I was enthralled by the bins and bins of regular colombians and couldnt decide which one I wanted....lol. But per my eyes and memory, there were two at strictly.

that is a shame to hear. He did live a long happy life though, and that can not be forgotten. Hopefully I can help the legacy live on with the awesome pair I got from you last year. Good luck with all your breedings this year. I am sure I will be drooling over some awesome boa pics of yours this year.
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Thanks Vinnie Caruso
opinons are like a--holes... everybody has one and they all stink

Thanks Vinnie,

I'm sure you'll produce some SMOKERS!!!! Just pick your females Wisely. It makes a WORLD of difference. Best of luck to you in your breedings. Have a great year. I can assure you that no boa lived a better life then Norman in my opinion. (If you know what I mean). Traveling the WORLD, having access to MANY MANY ladies, not worrying about any enemies, and getting fed when you want. WOW, what a life. LOL

Take Care, Jeremy

It almost sounds like you enlisted him in the Navy-lol! Take care

Paul

That was funny Paul.

I actually should have checked to see if he had Redness in the Groin area. I'm sure many of the Navy guys do that often.

I am JUST JOKING all you Navy Guys. I have Nothing but respect for you. Paul brought up something Funny, and I had to laugh.

Jeremy

J,

Sorry to hear about your loss, especially with an animal as famous as Norman. I am sure his legacy will continue for many generations.

Chris Nicholas

Jeremy:

Thank you for sharing this information with the rest of us.

We feel your pain.

Long live the Motleys....

Brian Gundy
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Brian Gundy

www.for-goodness-snakes.com

So sorry Jeremy.

I'll never forget arriving to your house from the airport, and walking in with you to find your FIRST (or was it second???) litter of Motleys JUST born. All fathered by Norman.
I still have animals from his FIRST breeding.
A a female Motley I got from his first year of babies is being bred for the 3rd time as we speak (as I type this actually...)

I give the credit to both you and Norman for develping my never ending love and passion for the Motley Boa. Out of ALL the snakes I have in my collection....I will always love Motleys the most.

Alex,

Thank you for your post. I remember that day VIVIDLY. It was the second litter. Remember how one of the Motleys got out, and we were looking for it? I was like, CHECK ALEX'S POCKETS before he leaves. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know you would NEVER do such a thing, but I was FREAKIN OUT.

That was soo cool to see that litter the day you came to pick up your Motleys. I also want to thank you for the support you have given to the Project, and the support you have given to me. Friends are easy to come by, but true friends are few and far between. You have been a good friend, and a great friend of the Motley project. Best of luck to you in the Motleys. I'm sure you'll produce more screamers. Take Care, Jeremy

I'm sorry for your loss. I feel for you.

Caden
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Caden Chapman
slithering.serpents@gmail.com

Sorry to hear that. One of the things I think is so important when working with a new morph is that the animals be as good a representative of the mutation as possible. Norman was not only the founding father but also a very good quality motley in terms of pattern. I feel fortunate that one of the two motleys you sent me several years ago has the classic pattern of Norman and even more saddles with pattern in them. I really like this feature because I think it gives the animals an even higher contrast appearance.
As you know better than the rest of us having seen so many motleys and combination morphs we are just beggining to see what the potential of the Motley really is. Although a sad loss the living legacy of Norman will be one of the foundations of the boa breeding world for years to come.
I look forward to seeing what new variations on the motley theme you produce this year and wish good luck with your projects.
Bill

Thank you Bill,

I appreciate your support of the Project, and I know with your keen eye, you'll be able to make some awesome animals with the Motleys you have. I know what you are talking about with the Pattern. However, I have found over the years, that I think the FEMALE used in breeding a Motley to is the KEY to making stronger pattern Motleys. You can have a perfect pattern Motley breed and make all broken pattern Motleys, and VICE VERSA, but I do to not think it is ALL random. Chances are that if you get a strong pattern you are looking for, you'll see more of those babies you want in your projects. You'll get some variences, but you'll see what you want, and that is what is soo much fun about breeding.

Thank you again for your Support of the Motley project. I hope you have good luck this year in your breedings. I look forward to seing your stuff too.

Jeremy