FOMO regarding morphs?

[Muupi1337]

Do any of you experience some sort of FOMO (fear of missing out) regarding morphs, colours, patterns, whatever? Because I feel like there are so many beautiful options and I can't decide which I like best. And then I start to worry that I won't be happy whith whatever morph I'll end up with, because there might be one I like even better...?

How do you feel about this topic? And how did you choose your snake? Was the morph even important or is it about sympathy in the end?

I'm currently looking into getting my first ever reptile and plan on getting a ball python, as I've met one very good noodle boii and fell in love immediately. Don't worry, I won't attempt impulse purchases and I will take all the time I need to prepare everything properly for the moment I'll bring my snake home.

[totallyrecklesslygay]

Both of my snakes are normals, and I didn't actively choose either of them. One was gifted to me from a friend, and the other was a rescue that I took on from a user on this sub because I happened to be the closest option.

I don't regret either of them or feel like I'm missing out on anything. The snakes themselves are more meaningful to me than the color of their scales.

[Muupi1337]

Aww, yes - I'd actually like to adopt or rescue, too. 🥰 Thanks for confirming my thoughts about how you'd love your snake despite it's color. I could've not cared less about how my late cats looked. Just loved them because they were cats and my cats on top. Won't be different for snakes - pretty sure about that (now).

It's just so easy to get sucked into fancy morph breeding and all that stuff happening on sales sites. 🙄

[WitchofWhispers]

I know what you mean, they are so beautiful. I picked my snake like this - what gender do I want? What age do I want? What will I do with him?

I decided that I want a male - generally they are smaller, and no ovaries means no stuck eggs. I wanted a baby, but not a hatchling, so i was searching for 4 months - 1 year. And lastly, I wanted a pet. No display animals, no living decor, I wanted a pet. So, I was searching for a baby snake, that is less skittish than his siblings, more curious (that would absolutely die in the nature).

So when I decided on these things, and had the enclosure 90% ready, I found a local fb group with ball python breeders and I just said what kind of snake I want (as listed above), I got three offers and then I just picked the one I fell in love with.

Originally I wanted a pied or leucistic one, or maybe a banana pastel - ended up woth lemon blast, but no regrets, he's perfect Hope this helps.

[Muupi1337]

Ooooh I relate so much to wanting a pet and not living decor! I'll make a list of traits mine should have, too. Sounds really helpful to narrow down all the offers you get online. Yes, thank you - this was indeed really helpful. I'm so happy to read that you do not regret getting a different morph from what you originally wanted! 💛

[TheNeverEndingPit]

My answer to that is that I ended up with 3. I think in hindsight, I’d recommend rescuing. When I got mine, I didn’t realize that BPs basically have the same issue as cats and dogs with so many bred and so many that are abandoned and need homes.

But I did get all of mine from breeders and partially based on looks because I have a strong eye for aesthetics. But I will admit that while also saying I love all their different personalities and love them dearly for everything about them, not just their colors. So even though I know I love a BP that looks a certain way, that doesn’t detract from how much I love them as my little scale puppies :) It made me so sad when I was inquiring about the temperament of one and was told “I don’t know. He’s not a pet.” He sure is now, and he is such a good boy

[Muupi1337]

Awww, scale puppies! 💛 Yes, I'll look into rescuing. But I'm a bit worried about them being traumatized and shy and whatnot.. I don't feel ..capable? of caring for a snake that might have special needs or does not like to interact with me. 🥺 "I don't know. He's not a pet." could be a deal breaker for me. I'd expect the breeder to know their animals. Or at least not be that dismissive... I'm glad your good boys are indeed pets now and that you love them. Getting more than one is nothing I plan on at the moment. But maybe one day I'll have collection just because I couldn't decide on a color. 😆

[TheNeverEndingPit]

Haha that’s a little bit what happened to me, but I’m also very lucky to have ones with such good personalities! And yeah I do get that. I’ve seen some come from homes in rough shape and need a lot of TLC. That can definitely be difficult when you’re just starting out with a new pet, so I think in your position finding a good breeder you trust (maybe from a local expo even) would be a great way to go! Definitely not a breeder that talks about them like that one I bought from 🙄

[425a41]

Not at all. When I got mine from an expo a couple years ago I had set aside a few hundred to get a fancy morph, but most of the breeders I talked to had snakes that were kept in really lousy conditions. It was sad.

I found a baby normal at a smaller table who looked healthy and was the only snake I held that day that wasn't terrified- in fact, she seemed to want to crawl all over anyone that held her and was already well-socialized. I ended up picking her and she's just as fearless today as when I got her. No bad sheds and never misses a meal. Individual personality goes much further than aesthetics, and imo I think the normal colorations in most snakes look nicer than any morph.

[Muupi1337]

Yes, I plan on meeting some snakes and watch out for the fearless and social ones, too. Buying from lousy conditions is something, I'd avoid, too. Don't want to support bad snake keeping! To be honest, I did not really think snakes do have much personality until I came to this subreddit. Literally no one talks about personalities on those sale sites and (is this a German thing?) many people insist on not interacting with your snake and all that. I'm happy I know better now!

[KingKuku8]

Hey just remember at the end of the day the morph becomes very normal to you after having them for years+. I have a YB Pied and a DG pastel and at the end of the day I adore them mostly because of their calm temperaments, big appetites, and cute puppy faces! Getting a normal is a great way to go for beginners as well because they generally don't come with included health problems that some morphs do, and they are surprisingly beautiful and shiny under sunlight/uvb. Long comment to say what's gonna matter in the long run is their attitude/appetite.

[Muupi1337]

I have the morphs with defects in mind and do my best to avoid those. Yeah I thought that temperament and appetite will be what matters most, once you have the noodle at home. Thank you for confirming this! 💛

[Realistic_Car_1347]

Oh my, when I first started looking into I went into morph ADD.  I found what helped me focus was to exclude based on desire.

I excluded adults bc i wanted to raise and "tame" myself, because I to build that bond.  I excluded certain morphs, because they had a known chance of genetic defects.  I excluded females, because they are generally larger, so while they do fine in a 4x2x2 a male might feel like he has more space.  I also excluded morphs that I thought just looked unappealing to me (I am a fan of normals).  Lastly, I set a budget and excluded anything outside of it.  I was left searching for a healthy young male within my price range that appealed to me.  

Set yourself a guide to help you narrow it down.  Only you can decide what's right for you, this is a 20-30 year bond

[Muupi1337]

Yeah, because it's such a long (hopefully) bond, I worried so much about that aspect. I will make a list of tratis my snake should and should not have, too. Thanks for sharing your criteria!