Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Went to a "retail petshop" to get a "Cuz" for my dog. Strolled by their ball pythons and looked in on the 5 that they had. This one caught my eye. I asked the employee if I could see it. When he pulled it out had handed it to me I looked at it intently. I smiled at my better half and passed it to her. She looked it over and obviously liked what she saw. The employee asked"Do you think its a het? I looked at him in a little bit of shock that he even had used the word "het". I said that I simply didn't know but it was a beautiful specimen as I went to put it back in the cage. He looked really surprised that I was putting it back and asked why. I said that the snake and its cage mates were infested with mites as I showed him my hands which still had some on it. He said that the store will reimburse me the vet charges and I said it was too much of a hassel when I can get rid of the mites myself. I told him that it would also be cheaper on the store if I did so and I made him a reasonable offer to deduct 30 bucks off. He accepted and I was a new owner of this little male ball. Now, 2 and a half weeks later he is mite free (did I mention that I love POM!) and has now fed on 3 rat pups for me. He is very fiesty too! If my friend proves his granite female, he wants to do a breeder loan with me with him. He has a couple little unique features. Are they markers? I dunno. I do feel like he is a wonderful new addition all the same!
Thanks for reading!
Severa

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1.3 leopards( 1 tremper albino,1 high yellow,1 blizzard, 1 tang)
1.0 African fattail
1.1 r. ciliatus (Harlequin flames)
0.0.1 r. auriculatus
1.0 Beardie (50% German Giant x Cawley Red X Hypo Red/Flaming Tiger)
1.0 mexican red knee tarantula
1.0 albino sonoran gopher
1.0 eastern painted turtle
0.1 sun conure
3.3 Ball pythons (1 pastel,2 het for albino, two normal, one granite)
0.2 chihuahuas
1.0 Weeny dog
0.1 spouse

Another side shot and belly.

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1.3 leopards( 1 tremper albino,1 high yellow,1 blizzard, 1 tang)
1.0 African fattail
1.1 r. ciliatus (Harlequin flames)
0.0.1 r. auriculatus
1.0 Beardie (50% German Giant x Cawley Red X Hypo Red/Flaming Tiger)
1.0 mexican red knee tarantula
1.0 albino sonoran gopher
1.0 eastern painted turtle
0.1 sun conure
3.3 Ball pythons (1 pastel,2 het for albino, two normal, one granite)
0.2 chihuahuas
1.0 Weeny dog
0.1 spouse

Wow! Nice find! I look at pet shops all the time and have yet to find one that nice. I like the over all look along with clean belly. I would have bought him too. Good luck.
Casey

It looks like a normal. Ya never know. I wouldn't waste time on granites though. I've seen a lot of people call a snake "granite" because it matches the "granite" definition if they bend the rules. If it doesn't look like the ones in the books, it isn't one.

And your right, it could prove to be absolutely nothing, a normal. But....since I am relatively new to the game and I have so much to learn, I have nothing to gain but knowledge. He will be my first shot in the dark.
Thanks,
Severa
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1.3 leopards( 1 tremper albino,1 high yellow,1 blizzard, 1 tang)
1.0 African fattail
1.1 r. ciliatus (Harlequin flames)
0.0.1 r. auriculatus
1.0 Beardie (50% German Giant x Cawley Red X Hypo Red/Flaming Tiger)
1.0 mexican red knee tarantula
1.0 albino sonoran gopher
1.0 eastern painted turtle
0.1 sun conure
3.3 Ball pythons (1 pastel,2 het for albino, two normal, one granite)
0.2 chihuahuas
1.0 Weeny dog
0.1 spouse

Like I said, he's SWEET looking. Call it what you want, he doesn't look the same as every other normal ball python that you see at petco. There's a reason why you double-taked...

Never a waste of time to try and prove out a different looking animal... sure a lot of them are normals, but do i hear yellow belly?

Glad to hear he's mite free now, keep me up to date on him.

Justin

There you are Justin! My hopes aren't too terribly high on this one. But I think he is worth working with. I know the distributors pick through these before they send them to the retails. Are they 100% right when they let stuff go? No, they aren't, but some of them have a pretty good trained eye and know what to look for. I knew without a doubt that this was going to be a male too before I got him home to probe. This little guy is simply another adventure and no matter what the outcome is, what I will have learned will outweigh the losses and to me, that what this is all about.
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1.3 leopards( 1 tremper albino,1 high yellow,1 blizzard, 1 tang)
1.0 African fattail
1.1 r. ciliatus (Harlequin flames)
0.0.1 r. auriculatus
1.0 Beardie (50% German Giant x Cawley Red X Hypo Red/Flaming Tiger)
1.0 mexican red knee tarantula
1.0 albino sonoran gopher
1.0 eastern painted turtle
0.1 sun conure
3.3 Ball pythons (1 pastel,2 het for albino, two normal, one granite)
0.2 chihuahuas
1.0 Weeny dog
0.1 spouse

That is a nice reduced pattern looking Ball and as for breeding some of the unique and different looking Balls ,I say that is were the next totally new morph will cum from!! Good luck with your Beautiful Ball Python all the same . Thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue

I have a nice reduced pattern female I found at pet co of all places and the only snake I have ever bought there. I breed her to my mojave this year can't wait to see if she proves out.
a fun side project. if you like to see some pic's you can email me rosaleesmommy@aol.com ...nice animal none the less..

Thanks a nice little dinkin' project - I probably would have taken him too!

Congratulations on the new addition and good luck with him!
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Tosha

that was awesome, good for you

i dont ive seen a better Snake found at a Petco

seriously - quite nice!!! Enjoy!