Kingsnake.com
Kevin McCurley, New England Reptile Distributors (NERD)
Ball Pythons and Their Morphs
February 26, 2006
PHFaust: Kevin McCurley has been a herp enthusiast since
early childhood. His breeding efforts initially focused on Pituophis
and other large colubrids, and over the course of time the collection
grew along with an interest in pythons, particularly those with which
fewer keepers were working at the time namely retics and ball pythons.
During the past ten years, that focus on retics and ball pythons has
brought myriad color morphs and combinations to the NERD collection,
many of which were first bred at his facility.
KevNERD: Thanks!
PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at kingsnake.com,
I'm very pleased to welcome Kevin Mc Curley to our Eighth Annual Chat
Week
PHFaust: Thank you so much for joining us, Kev, and welcome!
daventx_nr: where do you see ball morphs heading
KevNERD: The next book will be better...just learning how
to do it. Some mistakes but it would be hard not to have any!
KevNERD: Where do i see them heading?
daventx_nr: yes color etc
KevNERD: There are lots to choose from when thinking about
your next one...
KevNERD: I think there are too many to choose from and it
is only going to get worse.
daventx_nr: i agree
PHFaust: Kevin remember to type a GA when done with answer
KevNERD: They seem to be DOMINATING the landscape and people
are changing what they keep to include them.
JTrott: Any chace of seeing an axanthic spider this year Kevin.....black
widow?
KevNERD: GA
KevNERD: I think YES, this year has been slow for me...lots
of my males are not keying in just yet. I think it will be a late
one!
KevNERD: GM
PHFaust: Snow your question
snow82_nr: Ever had exp. with hot breeding
KevNERD: Hot breeding???
snow82_nr: and whats the differences
snow82_nr: venomous
KevNERD: Venomous...No, I keep some stuff...My main focus
there is protecting TIMBERS and doing what i can to locate the last
dens in the area. I bet I can breed the stuff but i am lost in sooo
many other projects.
daventx_nr: we had some habitat loss here in north texas for
a timber den
KevNERD: Timbers are in bad shape up here!
KevNERD: GA
herpkeeperz_nr: ?
PHFaust: Jtrott
havic: can you or do you have a video on your web page showing
us newbies how to sex bps?
JTrott: I think Kev already answered it but, Any chace of
seeing an axanthic spider this year Kevin.....black widow?
KevNERD: The axanthci spider is a very probable one
JTrott: you going to name black widow?
JTrott: just a thought
KevNERD: The axantchi spider will not be the black widow...
JTrott: super cinny spider?
KevNERD: I have to make something that gets that awesome sounding
name!
KevNERD: Maybe, don't just know yet.
KevNERD: GA
JTrott: can't wait to see
KevNERD: Me neither!
KevNERD: U R WELCOME!
THISDUDE: any tips or tricks to get a wc male morph in the
mood
PHFaust: Krn your tuirn
KevNERD: Ok, male wildcaught...has he been feeding?
KevNERD: You need his weight up first thing...unless you go
him recently and he is cycled he needs the weight, then the cool to
breed.
KevNERD: Skinny male that is not already cycled can be a tough
one
KevNERD: Getting those few extra males can be what is really
needed to get any male over the wall to the ladies.
krn: hey kevin Was it hard ot go about starting your own business?
?
KevNERD: Hard starting a business....
KevNERD: YES!! Don't do it unless you are the ONLY employee!!!
KevNERD: Keep it as a fun hobby...
snow82_nr: i hear that
jeffb: sing it brrother
krn: ok Thanks alot
JTrott: was it hard deciding if this is what you wanted to
rely on to pay the bills I think is what he/she is trying to ask
KevNERD: Lots of red tape...I think the whole industry is
suffering a bit with shipping rates, restrictions and all sorts of
misery.
havic: can you make a how to sex a bp video on your web page?
KevNERD: I have never thought of the sexing video thing....
I suppose i could. We are makng a new site..the old present one is
dated and missing LOTS of stuff...I have been bad, no focus with it
for some time...
slshaw: hey kev. what are your thoughts on the red axanthic
and het red axanthics? also what morphs do you predict will be most
popular in the next few years?
KevNERD: Red axanthics.... I don't have any...but they could
make something cool...still new...To me they remind me of a form of
cinny..
KevNERD: i still don't know all there is to know about them..
KevNERD: new morphs?..
robertmcphee: What do you think the future of the "mini"
boas will be, such as the Nicaraguans, Sonorans etc?
KevNERD: Mini boas are cool in theory.....
KevNERD: I think they may give us more reliable breeding with
less slugs....
KevNERD: I also think they are almost too small....but I love
BIG snakes...
KevNERD: I still think the regular colombian is SHARP!
KevNERD: The mini boas is starting to really take hold...but
the regular colombian lines still have the BEST morphs to choose from...
Travis_nr: Hey Kev; you got any tips on switching a ball python
from mice to rats
KevNERD: Mice to rats...
KevNERD: put some mouse shaving in its cage to make him want
to eat and then rub down a rat with more mouse shavings and put it
in the cage
herpkeeperz_nr: what are the best morphs for a new bp lover
to start breeding with and what sex for each morph ? thank you
KevNERD: Pastels are GREAT and cheap for a good first new
morph
UAWPrez: What's the name of your book and where can I buy
it?
KevNERD: The COMPLETE Ball Python..goto my web site..newenglandreptile.com
Adam105_nr: Can you explain please how people say that het
pieds are visible when the scientific deffintion would make a "het"
completely impossible to see?!
KevNERD: The visible part does not have to do with the scientific...
KevNERD: I can not tell you why some or most have tell tale
markers..
KevNERD: it seems to be almost a bleed though
KevNERD: the het part seems to still have a bit of control
over the wild type look..
KevNERD: the clear belly..black edge...
KevNERD: but not all are that way!!!
KevNERD: There are some very normal looking animals that still
are hets but do not show much of anything
KevNERD: lots of mystery with what is actually going on there!
KevNERD: GA
BIGDADDYBALLROOM: Are you working on producing more caramel
glows?
KevNERD: Caramel glows.....I am trying to make spider caramels....
i got very frustrated missing my odds..
KevNERD: i did double het to double het for a total of 24
eggs(I think) and I got a single visible...a caramel glow and nothing
else visible!!!!!!!
KevNERD: Gave up...for now!
RVAReptiles: this will be my first time breeding ball pythons,
I have a female who has copulated many times with a male since november.
I'm nervous about incubating eggs, any advice?
KevNERD: I spell out the egg thing in the book...
KevNERD: it is not HARD...
KevNERD: just read that part several times..
RVAReptiles: yeah i was reading that earlier
KevNERD: don't make it too wet!!
KevNERD: An egg that is drying out tells you it needs water....
RVAReptiles: I've got a home-built incubator, only shortcoming
I see is that it pretty much seals up and doesn't let any outside
air in
KevNERD: the safe temp is 88F..that gives you some room for
fluctuations without cooking them!@
KevNERD: GA
herpkeeperz_nr: what do you think about a arctic/ axanthic
cross?what are the feasible possibilities?
KevNERD: I don't think the artic is genetic as we understand
it
KevNERD: It seems to be a thing..
KevNERD: just like classic jungles, maze balls...all that
weird random stripe stuff..
KevNERD: breed a YELLOW belly to it and make more yellow bellies!!:)
red_nr: do you think paradox albino bp will prove
KevNERD: No, i don't think the paradox is inheritable
KevNERD: at least in that form
KevNERD: i wish it did!!!
KevNERD: GA
CJinNH: Kevin I literally got in a heated argument with a
guy in a chat room about the ball python morph craze and he told me
anyone who thinks they are ever going to make any money with ball
pythons is nuts and he was predicting the crash of the morph market
in the next 3 years... what is your opinion on that? this guy was
serious too! oh Thanks for the GTP you sold me, he is doing good in
his new home!
KevNERD: Come on chris
KevNERD: Well, we are seeing a form of the crash now...
KevNERD: people panic, they cash out..
KevNERD: they get into it just to cash out
KevNERD: they forget they are breeding living art
KevNERD: they want to make it and sell it..
KevNERD: I think some of those people are missing it..
KevNERD: I think many of the hobbyist that are just getting
into are REALLY into their snakes and that is what i like!
CJinNH: yeah I see how that can affect the market, thanks,
I'll try and stay on this side of that
KevNERD: I am my own biggest customer..
KevNERD: there will be a point stuff is sooo cheap I will
just make it and never sell it..
KevNERD: kind o funny how normal females are sooo expensive
and the morphs(some) are soo cheap??
KevNERD: I think some of us have to get used to prices coming
down...once we accept some it it may be easier..
KevNERD: there are still many desirable morphs out there that
people crave!!
KevNERD: Don't make enough and the value will hold!!
PHFaust: Matt your turn
KevNERD: I think you have to invest wisely
KevNERD: GA
Matt...Hennek: What does your nomral day entail...i.e describe
a normal day in the life of Kevin
Matt...Hennek: (and a followup question...is there a homozygous
spider?) :)
KevNERD: My life is just retarded...
KevNERD: I have a retail store that I generally check out
in the am for problems...then i peek in at my snakes..and look for
rodent floods?
KevNERD: I peek on my snakes and see if any are breeding..
KevNERD: my phone hates me and calls to me all the time...
KevNERD: I freak out for the sake of freaking out..
KevNERD: i run into walls
KevNERD: i cry a lot
Matt...Hennek: lol
KevNERD: i suck my thumb
KevNERD: and wet my dress...
KevNERD: I am prety hyper and my stress level is up there...trying
to make this whole thing work is HARD
KevNERD: I have a 14,000 sq ft building with a giant mortgage...lots
of employees....
KevNERD: lots of trouble
KevNERD: and I must play METAL!!!!
KevNERD: To get rid of it all!
KevNERD: but i do get distracted and i do have terrible odds!!!
KevNERD: There is no super spider that I know of yet...
KevNERD: I don't know why...
KevNERD: and some bad luck to boot!
KevNERD: GA
Matt...Hennek: ok...thanks kevin...hope to see you and kara
one of these days
pac-man: hey kev!i introduced my baby male and baby female
to each other today on my bed...i put the male next to the female
and he didnt even relizeshe was there but she got really mad (i had
aggression problems with her wen i first got her)is thisa normal??are
there any better ways to introduce thm to each other?im just trying
to get my female to be used to him because im hoping to breed wen
they are old enough.and what is your opinion on houseing a male and
female baby to gether?
KevNERD: as far as babies...they d not really care about each
other
KevNERD: they are just another thing in the environment..
KevNERD: it may react the same to a pet hissing roach or a
ball rolled near it..
pac-man: my female didnt like him being there tho not sure
why
KevNERD: they like to check things out but they don't really
need to know each other..
KevNERD: if you keep tow in the same cage they may get used
to touch making them a bit more relaxed
KevNERD: Your animals on the bed were out of their element
and you should not let that one reaction bother you!
KevNERD: Next?
PHFaust: Geofri your turn
geofri: Kevin, what would you suggest as a first breeding
project? I am 16, and pretty new to balls, i have 3 females i got
rescently(normals), to use for future breeding. I have a pair af het
albino balls on hold, from a freind, do you see them holding their
value into the next few years?
KevNERD: Albinos..YES!
KevNERD: They are gorgeous and they are exotic looking!
KevNERD: Pieds will always be good..
geofri: what do you think the will sell for in say, 5 years?(
the albinos)
KevNERD: I would go for a pastel to to get things going and
to give you some results to keep you excited!!
KevNERD: Albinos...in 5 years...$750.00
geofri: would that be hatchling males?
KevNERD: They will hit a value that demand will exceed production
KevNERD: yes...
KevNERD: I always talk in terms of babies...
KevNERD: I hope i am WRONG..I think they will always be worth
$1,200 once there are lots of them
KevNERD: next?
geofri: thank you very much kevin
bps4ever: What do you find the ideal weight to be for a female
BP to breed?
KevNERD: 1200 grams or bettter..
bps4ever: thx alot
KevNERD: I have killed a few females that were just too small...I
have made plenty of mistakes..I am impatient!
KevNERD: Too small...hard to expell a large egg...can equal
egg bound or sudden death!
KevNERD: next?
Reptilefreak16: Kev, with all of the color mutations being
created from line breeding,do you see genetic mutations of the ball
python,caused by line breeding causeing a severe problem down the
line with ball pythons, or have they already started?
Reptilefreak16: genetic mutations other then color
KevNERD: I don't think we are seeing many problems with line
breeding...at leat not yet..
Reptilefreak16: ok,thanks
KevNERD: The caramel has some weird thing with the kink thing....
so that is good to outbreed...
KevNERD: my womas make a white snake that is just not right..
KevNERD: if we do see some problems it will be kinking....
Reptilefreak16: kink in the tail?
KevNERD: so i am outbreeding to see if that fixes it..
hunterjackson: South Carolina has now proposed legislation
(Bill 959) making it illegal to keep many exotic animals, with the
list not being complete, allowing Natural Resources to add animals
anytime they wish. What is the best way to defeat this?
KevNERD: getting killed
BrianPotter: Do you think Ralph Davis should keep his shirt
on more often at shows? And if so.....why? Also do you think that
Ralphs crew is possibly a satanic front trying to unite the youth
of America one herper at a time? The picture of my Pinstripe in your
book is my favorite part.....great snake man!
KevNERD: I think that ralph should jut suck it up and start
going out in a dress...in one of his thongs..
KevNERD: just take it like a man...maybe...no undies even...
KevNERD: then we will really know he does not care what anyone
thinks!!!
KevNERD: Your pin is very sweet BTICHICO!
Nokturnel Tom: Ball Pythons may dominate the world of morphs,
but do you think things like the Granite IJs, Jaguars, and Rainbow
Boa morphs will ever get the attention the Ball Pythons get now and
do you think these other snakes will have the potential to expand
into multi morph combos anything like Ball Pythons? Know of anything
most of don't that may create a huge buzz in the hobby??
KevNERD: Hey tom, no I don't think the carpets or rainbows
will ever get to the ball level..
KevNERD: They are nice but the ball python can and never will
be beat, period!
KevNERD: So much we can do and so much we ARE doing with them!
Vernon: kevin you still think the albino balls are well worth
it for someone just starting out
KevNERD: Albinos are def good to start with!
Vernon: thanks I have just bought my first pastel ball male
and about 6 normal females for next year and now Im looking for my
first big step albino pair
heg: kev what can you tell us about the albino sunburst line, i hear
about it but i never see any at the herp shows? second what is the
best way to get females together fast? in mumbers? and thank for your
time tonight
KevNERD: albino sunburst???
KevNERD: I do not know...sounds kind of goofy???
KevNERD: A real nice albino??
KevNERD: Get females toggether fast???
KevNERD: raise up babies..they make the best investment!!
KevNERD: They are used to your climate and housing...
heg: ok thank you
KevNERD: they will cycle better for you than getting adult
females from here and there!
Vernon: kevin what is the ideal weight to breed your ball
python females?
KevNERD: 1200 plus grams
Geckosgirl: Kevin, thank you for being here and sharing your
experience with us.. I have a male 800 gram spider ball. I have bred
him to a 2400 gram normal and awaiting eggs that are a bit over due.
He is on loan now to a 1990gram female orange ghost. Another breeder
has told me that spider males will not produce until they reach 1000
grams or over . Is this fact or fiction? Also as we are adding on
more expensive morphs can you recommend any good security measures
to prevent theft besides alarms and video on property?
KevNERD: Not true one bit..
KevNERD: a spider male will go even smaller..let's say around
700 grams will work..
Geckosgirl: i didnt think so but wanted to ask someone like
you to be sure
KevNERD: a bit of age helps!
KevNERD: Any security is good!
Geckosgirl: so far hes locked up 2 times with the 2400 gram
for 12 hrs each time, and once at that amount with the ghost
KevNERD: An alram is great and how about a video recording
things taht people do not know about?
KevNERD: next?
Geckosgirl: ty kevin
KevNERD: breed that male more...
KevNERD: I like to see six copulations to feel REAL good about
my breedings..
KevNERD: breed him more!!!!!!!
KevNERD: that is a good way to get bad eggs(duds)
Vernon: kevin hows the best way to get your new book online?
KevNERD: go to my site..
KevNERD: newenglandreptile.com..i can even sign some obnoxious
message if you would like!!
soderstrum: What up Kevin in your opinion what morph is doing
the best in the industry thus far? Also what morph is your favorite?
KevNERD: what morph????
KevNERD: Bumble bees RULE!!
KevNERD: Hard to beat that combo...
KevNERD: gives people something to work for that they can
actually achie3ve!!!!
KevNERD: what morph??
KevNERD: I think the desert ghost has some real good bennys
in store..
soderstrum: thanks
KevNERD: I think the combo stuff is going to be the reall
thing...having three four or five in the same snake is going to make
some insane stuff..
KevNERD: i like anything that make sthe pattern go down or
look real odd.
KevNERD: too many good morphs....
KevNERD: the coral glow bumble bee is too die for..that thing
is unreal to say the least..but there are ltos of good ones ut there
to aspire to!
KevNERD: next?
RETIC9_nr: What retics do you think will hold their value
and do you find it easy to sell the morphs? (make any money on them)?
KevNERD: GOLDEN CHILDS!!!
KevNERD: Period!!
KevNERD: it is the ONE no question!!!
HerpKeeper_nr: u think
RETIC9_nr: golden child?
KevNERD: I think the ivory with the platinum hets(het ivory)
are going to get things stepped up!!! They re real sharp and the hets
are KILLER YELLOW!!!!!
KevNERD: Goto our website and look for the golden childs..
KevNERD: the new site will have them everywhere!!!!
KevNERD: They are rare and they are gorgeous..and they stay
smaller..
KevNERD: next?
joseph02: Hey Kevin, Tony Hurt here. When are we going to
see pics of the banana bee?
KevNERD: It is NOT a banana bee...I made that morph first..it
is a coral glow...
KevNERD: i will take new pics....she is SMOKING!
KevNERD: Send me an email...I will make you some!
KevNERD: next?
JDouglas: Can a female breed a dozen or so times and still
not produce
KevNERD: YES she can...for years even!!!
JDouglas: Is this common and what are some causes?
KevNERD: females breeding and not going???
KevNERD: I don't know...
KevNERD: we often make them too fat...if tempos are wrong..
KevNERD: she is not happy...
KevNERD: too skinny..
KevNERD: not enough fat reserves..
GailT: Kev ... what is the white stuff in my snakes cages
... it's hard, lumpy and it doesn't taste very good ... ;)
KevNERD: It is cream cheese..
KevNERD: what did you think it was..
Matt...Hennek: mmmm....cheese
KevNERD: the problem is that you did not find it when it was
ripe..
KevNERD: you have to get it just in time...
KevNERD: the white stuff....is NOT CALCIUM FOLKS!!!!!
KevNERD: It is old stale cream cheese!!!
Sicilyjn_13: really?
GailT: thanks Kev ... ball king, morph god .. :)
KevNERD: EVILMORPHGOD..and don't forget it!!
Gailyn: Do bp's enjoy living together (i.e. more than one
in a cage)? Or is it better to always house them separate? Should
you let the female keep the eggs or incubate?
KevNERD: Do balls enjoy living together...
KevNERD: I think adults do...
KevNERD: they may feel safer when grouped...
KevNERD: I don't think they are stupid so they must experience
boredom...
Gailyn: Really? Just provide extra hides then...
KevNERD: anything to break up their day helps..
KevNERD: So i would say yes!
KevNERD: next
KevNERD: Yes, extra hides will allow them the space they may
need...
KevNERD: next
MikeRusso: HI Kevin, This is sort of off topic but I was wondering
why we don't see you at the White Plains Herp show any more??
KevNERD: I have been sooo busy..i will be back...but i got
burned out to say the least...build a big giant building!
joseph02: Kevin, what stage of follicle size [in ball pythons]
do you feel that the females will start eating again?
KevNERD: let's say...12mm-20 mm is prime time and then they
may shut down..
KevNERD: some may eat a bit more with bigger follicles...some
may never eat at all!!
KevNERD: Thanks everyone!!!!!
KevNERD: Now I can go eat!!
KevNERD: Night!!!
PHFaust: On behalf of Kingsnake.com, Jeff B, and myself, I
want to take a moment to thank Kev for being part of our chat week.
Kev thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on Ball Python
Morphs.
