Identity help anyone?

**jonny_L** · 10-25-2012, 01:54 PM

Hey all,

last night I purchased a Fire female, or did I?

Since the transaction was made at night, the interior lights of my vehicle did not provide the best lighting. When I opened her bin this morning in a very well lit room, she did not look so much like a fire anymore

Long story shot, she is definitely a female, but is she a Fire? The pairing that produced this girl was a Fire x Vanilla. She's for sure not a normal, the belly is super clean...So this means she's either a Fire or a Vanilla.

I purchased her off a very cool and trust worthy dude, who has been doing this for years. Already confronted him and everything is cool, he agreed to do a refund if I am not happy with her. Everybody makes mistakes, no harm no foul

So is everyone could please have a look at the pics and can help me figure out whether she is a Vanilla or Fire, it would be much appreciated. :yes:

Thanks,
Jon

**mykee** · 10-25-2012, 02:12 PM

I know nothing about either morph, but what I do know is that normals can also have "super clean" bellies.

**damzlfly** · 10-25-2012, 02:13 PM

Heres our male fire:

Pin this image to HerPYN.com - Our Herpetological world in pictures!

heres our vanilla

I think you may have a normal there.

**Szusz** · 10-25-2012, 02:18 PM

I would say she is a fire. Looks very similar to one of the fires posted on world of ball pythons.

**jonny_L** · 10-25-2012, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by mykee

I know nothing about either morph, but what I do know is that normals can also have "super clean" bellies.

I hear ya on that one Michael. I was just thinking the same thing while searching for comparison pics right now...

Originally Posted by damzlfly

Heres our male fire:

heres our vanilla

I think you may have a vanilla...

Thanks for posting pics! What turns me away from her being a Fire is the faded out marking on top of the head, which all Fires I have looked at seem to have. This one doesn't.

**damzlfly** · 10-25-2012, 02:22 PM

Originally Posted by jonny_L

I hear ya on that one Michael. I was just thinking the same thing while searching for comparison pics right now...

Thanks for posting pics! What turns me away from her being a Fire is the faded out marking on top of the head, which all Fires I have looked at seem to have. This one doesn't.

Thats why I posted pics of both...our fire has a very distinct head marker, our vanilla too, but more subtle. I did think Vanilla, but looking closer, Im not so sure now. They will fade out over time....but its definitely not a fire.

**CdExotics** · 10-25-2012, 02:24 PM

She doesn't look fire to me, both of mine fade/lighten up torwards the top of there backs and are over all lighter in colour. Maybe vanilla? I have no experience with the vanilla gene

**damzlfly** · 10-25-2012, 02:24 PM

Heres a better pic of our Vanilla - with head marker -

**creaturesofhabitexotics** · 10-25-2012, 02:37 PM

To me she screams fire... Classic head marking and vibrant oranges .... Joys of fires they get better with age. Fire to me imo

Thanks
Chris

**Isis11** · 10-25-2012, 03:14 PM

Sorry Jon..... not experienced enough to say one way or another.... but she's very nice

Here's my male fire if it helps.

**Jayson** · 10-25-2012, 05:02 PM

I dont work with vanilla's or fires but I have normals with clear bellies and the same head marking as you point out on this animal.
So I would not rely on these identifiers for ths morph.

**Pure Boa** · 10-25-2012, 05:53 PM

Looks exactly like my old ball python, which was a Normal.

He had a pure white belly too.

Rob

**Snake Haus Exotics** · 10-25-2012, 06:19 PM

I've been working with the fire gene for sometime now and she looks like a fire female i picked up to add to the army. Started looking much like a normal, but after a couple months, she definitely lightened up. If possible give her some time to do that. It's a subtle morph that get better as she ages.

**jonny_L** · 10-25-2012, 06:43 PM

Thank you to everyone who gave their opinions! All the input is much appreciated

Originally Posted by Snake Haus Exotics

I've been working with the fire gene for sometime now and she looks like a fire female i picked up to add to the army. Started looking much like a normal, but after a couple months, she definitely lightened up. If possible give her some time to do that. It's a subtle morph that get better as she ages.

However, I think I will go with this option though. Spoke to the breeder and he is ok with me keeping her for a while to see if she starts to show signs of it being either a Fire or Vanilla, and he has no problem taking her back if I am still not satisfied. I love dealing with people/breeders like this. These are the people who are in it for the right reasons :yes:

I will post an update picture after she sheds at least another 2x.

Once again, thank you for the help everyone

Cheers,
Jon