Is this a good deal?

[joshjtd]

I am looking at getting into BP's and have a local breeder here that has offered me a female. I am very familiar with bearded dragon morphs as I breed them but I am still learning alot about the BP's.

Here is what he is offering:

I only have 1 female left that should be gravid. She is yellow belly bred by spot nose/ woma, pastel, black pastel. All codominate which will give you visual morphs.

He has her priced at $400. I do have to say I am a bit color blind so some of the darker BP morphs are difficult for me to verify. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[Matt2979]

Any pics of the YB? $400 sounds really cheap for a nice, adult female YB. Personally, I prefer not to buy females that have been recently bred, but for $400 you could make your money back, quickly, assuming she's a gravid, true YB. Sounds a little too good to be true.

[Focal]

Normals are pretty easy to pass off as YB's if you don't know what you are looking for. If I had a female YB that was gravid by said males, I would be asking $800-1000.

If she is normal and definitely gravid, I don't think it's too bad ... maybe $300, but if not gravid or possibly gravid, I would pass.

I agree with Matt on getting pictures and verifying first.

[joshjtd]

It threw some red flags for me. He just recently moved here from Texas and we really dont have a market here for high end reptiles. Beings that I am local, I was going to make a stop over there today and check her out. Is there anything specific I should look for (I will check for mites, respiratory and what not)?

[Focal]

The local thing didn't even dawn on me. It could be legit.

I would google the heck out of yellow belly bellies and get a good feel on how to identify them. Check out it's enclosure real good and look for lingering feces or signs of stuck sheds. Good luck.

[Matt2979]

Look at lots of pics of nice yb's for comparison. Look for the belly markers, high flames, and overall color. If possible, take pics to post here. If I weren't familiar with yellow belly balls, I wouldn't want to buy my first without a little help.

[joshjtd]

I will snap some pictures and post them here once I get over there. I have seen pictures of some yellow bellys and know the stomach should be clean with a checkered pattern on the sides. I will keep this thread updated. Thank you for the advice.

[snakesRkewl]

We picked up a gravif female yb for $250 locally in 2010, she wasn't fed during breeding(rookie mistake) and so she threw slugs.
So we rebred her this last season and produced Ivory, 3 yb females, etc.
If you can get a yb adult for $400 and she's good looking...SCORE

[B&C Ball Pythons]

Get some pics then show us before you buy her :)

[joshjtd]

Got some pics and I am going with a normal, not gravid. I am no means an expert so please let me know.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s236/joshjtd/Snapbucket/B54926F1.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s236/joshjtd/Snapbucket/48CEA33C.jpg
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s236/joshjtd/Snapbucket/4126C81E.jpg
Let me know what you think.

[RobNJ]

Definitely a normal...as for gravid, guess you'll find out...:thumbsup:

[joshjtd]

I didnt buy her as I was waiting for feedback from the folks here.

[Focal]

I say normal.

[joshjtd]

Yeah I think I will be passing on this gal. I made the mistake of rushing purchases on my first few bearded dragons and didn't get the coloration/genetics I wanted. Those purchases are now pets only. I won't make the same mistake with snakes! Thank you for the help!

[B&C Ball Pythons]

Definitely not a yb

[MrBig]

Def not a YB, and I would rather pay less for a normal breeder and choose what I want to put to her, rather then a whole mess of stuff already "maybe" in the mix.