matt2 - Good evening all and welcome to Nov's Guestchat w/Ralph Davis who has taken of his time to be with us night before Thanksgiving
RalphDavis - caly rules!
ballboutique - I will hope to have our [popping day] on line soon!

Adihoile - Ok Ralph, an easy one to start off with. What was your first Ball Python?
RalphDavis - a morph?
RalphDavis - axanthic VPI
Adihoile - no, just your very first
RalphDavis - normal females

Boaboy00 - How did NERD come to be able to sell Het. Lavenders? Did you sell them a Lav? Or did they import their own Lavender? Male? Female?
RalphDavis - NERD got his share from what I produced this year and last
RalphDavis - I produced them
Boaboy00 - oh so joint project?
RalphDavis - we split them 50/50
RalphDavis - yes
Boaboy00 - ok thanks
RalphDavis - but we will be spliiting up soon
Buck - Raplh what is the earliest age for an albino female to produce for you, her weight and how old was she?
RalphDavis - 16 months old
RalphDavis - 1100 grams

ryeman16 - there all mostly female balls and we are going ot get an albino and a few clowns
RalphDavis - 4 eggs
RalphDavis - all DH albino x stripe.......:)
Buck - Thanks

ChristyTalbert - Ralph my Q before...things I can do to get my pastel to like the one girl that I most want him to breed to
RalphDavis - come on women!
ChristyTalbert - lol
RalphDavis - the gilr that is your fav.............
RalphDavis - keep her with the gilrs he likes.....
RalphDavis - try they in a group
ChristyTalbert - ok, I just put her in with the other female
RalphDavis - also put some sheds or poop from the other girls in with your fav girl.
RalphDavis - trick him
ChristyTalbert - k
RalphDavis - also..
RalphDavis - he will stop breeding the other females when you start pushing him off.......he will settle for the hottie......:)
RalphDavis - you have 4 more months!
ChristyTalbert - lol

Colorado-Herper - hey Mr. Davis, do you think albino ball pythons are worth 3000 bucks and up. Because i don't. :) Happy thanksgiving Sir.
RalphDavis - I think they are worth 3k each
RalphDavis - or more.
Colorado-Herper - ok
RalphDavis - happy Tg to you sir......:)

davel - which project are you most exited about for next year?
RalphDavis - Platty to his daughters......
RalphDavis - lavender albino pied DH's......

Finnigan - if I have 5000$ to spend on a pair of balls, what morph do you think holds the most potentail to keep its value? I would like to purchase hets or, if you think it is a good idea, a group of possible hets.
Finnigan - Thanks
RalphDavis - get a pair of pied hets
RalphDavis - no brainer.......:)
RalphDavis - really..........
Finnigan - lol ... great thanks a lot

HissThisHerps - Hello Ralph and thank you for taking time to be with us. As a lot of folks I hope to own a Piebald in the future. (a platty too if I ever hit the lotto) I much as I think the Piebald is beautiful just as it is, do you have plans on mixing in some color or patterns into the Pied?
RalphDavis - yes
RalphDavis - I produced DH for lavender albino pied last year
Kingmaconha - 8 Ralph can u tell me some of ur breeding tips, like what u use or any special little trick?
RalphDavis - and I expect to cross a platty to the pied next
RalphDavis - anything goes with the pid
HissThisHerps - Looking forward to seeing them. Thanks!

Joe-n-Steph - What ratio of males to female would you recommed for breeding het for albinos? How many times would you breed 66% het for albino females with no albino offspring before you would give up on her being a het?
RalphDavis - hmmmm?
RalphDavis - you mean just breeding possibles?
RalphDavis - both sex?
Joe-n-Steph - 100 het male
RalphDavis - to possy het gilrs?
RalphDavis - ok
RalphDavis - three years
RalphDavis - het can miss a long time
RalphDavis - now if it where albino
RalphDavis - i would say two years
RalphDavis - i never give up!!
Joe-n-Steph - thank you

Kestrel- - hm.. about the platties.. do you expect to get super platties this year?
RalphDavis - I may
RalphDavis - depends on the daughters?
Kestrel- - or just alot more platties
Kestrel- - heh
RalphDavis - Let us pray.....:)
Kestrel- - heh that'd definatly be nice to see..

Mike06 - Hey Ralph! I heard that bp were crepuscular, my albino seems to be active during dif parts of the day and night, mostly when i wake up, is this true?
DOCP - :)
RalphDavis - i would not say early morning or twilight
RalphDavis - i would say night.......period
Mike06 - ok thanx
RalphDavis - but they do like to explore anytime I would think
Mike06 - ok thanx man
RalphDavis - but more confy at night

Najak2 - Why do you think it is that ball python morphs fetch such huge prices, when they are probably the most commonly kept snake? Are the morphs just that rare, or are they all just new to the market? And when do you think it is that the markets for these morphs will bottom out and they'll be worth the same as, say, an albino burm is worth now?
Najak2 - sorry for the huge novel there
RalphDavis - the balls are so popular becasue of the size
RalphDavis - temp....
RalphDavis - and low....I mean super low mant.
RalphDavis - as for the morphs.............
RalphDavis - some of these are the only ones in the world
RalphDavis - the public makes them populkar
RalphDavis - breeder feed off of that........:)
RalphDavis - yep.
RalphDavis - is that ok?
Najak2 - what about the market q
RalphDavis - the market will hols as long as the people on top stay responsible for it.........
RalphDavis - catch my drift?
Najak2 - yep, thanks

NickAsher - Ralph, why do you think that so many ball pythons are still imported into the US?
RalphDavis - why would you guys even lay out the bucks if the sky fell the next year
RalphDavis - the public has to feel safe......
RalphDavis - hmmmmmmmm
RalphDavis - $$$$$$$$$$$$$$
RalphDavis - wouldn't you like to make three bucks each off of 10,000 balls at a time
RalphDavis - it sucks!
Najak2 - just hope it doesn't end up being like the big bird market :)
RalphDavis - Africa rapes it's resources??????
RalphDavis - why I have no clue?
Colorado-Herper - :(
NickAsher - y not breed them and get 45 bucks a baby?
RalphDavis - i agree....
RalphDavis - Africa is weird............
RalphDavis - they want the bucks
RalphDavis - yes nick............we should breed more normals....

nin187 - hey whats a good investment snake to start with?
RalphDavis - ball right?
RalphDavis - Pastel Jungle male
RalphDavis - not too much money.........and a pretty good return
nin187 - not nessicarily but maybe

Nyx - heya Ralph - as a breeder, have you had any experience with tube-feeding snakes, and if so, what mixture would you recommend for a syringe-and-tube mix? [and how much at each feeding?] Also, do you have any tips for stubborn hatchlings aside from the usual paper bag, deli cup, brained pinkies, etc?
RalphDavis - I have never tube fed............
RalphDavis - it has never gotten that bad for me
RalphDavis - I always "hook feed"
Nyx - ?
RalphDavis - hook the prey item on a tooth and run like hell
Nyx - LOL
Colorado-Herper - lol
Nyx - tease-feeding usually works, but not for timid babies
RalphDavis - as far as the tricks to get them feeding
RalphDavis - email me
RalphDavis - do you have an hour>
RalphDavis - lol
Nyx - LOL, ok...
RalphDavis - teasing sucks
RalphDavis - a timid snake is a classic non-feeder
RalphDavis - and that is why
Nyx - yeah
RalphDavis - balls need to feel powerful
RalphDavis - and their home is what does that for them

ratman23 - Hey wait,.... is it Ralph's turn??? ..........oh nevermind...... First of all, you are a trip, you need to come in the rooms more often. You Paradox Snow Boa is probably my fav. morph of snake out there, I was wondering what you're plans are for her?
RalphDavis - she will be breeding her father this season
RalphDavis - as we speek she is being bred
ratman23 - ah cool
RalphDavis - tonight!!
ratman23 - great
ratman23 - !!!
ratman23 - Thanks
RalphDavis - thanks for the nice words.......I treat everyone the same....:)
ratman23 - no prob
RalphDavis - :P

ReptileDude - Ralph - So where in australia do anagolan pythons come from? I was under the impression they came from nambia and anagola, but your site told me they came from austraila
RalphDavis - lmao
RalphDavis - yes it did
ReptileDude - ;p
Kestrel- - lol
ReptileDude - jsut poking fun
reptileking - like i asked b4 ralph.. im working w/ young males this yr, any suggestions on getting them excited to breed?
RalphDavis - i fixed it fast
RalphDavis - are they breeding yet?
RalphDavis - they may need nothing more then a fresh girl
reptileking - been cooled and trying last month so far
RalphDavis - how is it going?
reptileking - each males got 2-4 fems
RalphDavis - if its slow.......try two males to one female
RalphDavis - group the males up
reptileking - well using diff hets
RalphDavis - sheds and poops from girls
reptileking - het caramel
RalphDavis - hmmmmmmm
reptileking - and an albino male
RalphDavis - just group up the males.........leave the females out of it
reptileking - caramels only 14 months old
RalphDavis - thats how I got platty started

ryeman16 - hey mr davis. i was just wondering how many balls you produce a year? I also wanted to know when snow balls will be avaiable and for how much approximatly? and one more question, who has the best line of pastels in your opinion?
RalphDavis - I produce 250 to 300 a year...........50 plus clutches.........and it is too much!
ryeman16 - and where do u think the price of albinos will bottom out?
RalphDavis - Snows are available now..........I would say that $75,000.00 would tempt me off of my VPI male....
RalphDavis - Graziani
ryeman16 - thank you

saltyjohn - asing on behalf of munchcorona i have a ball that gasps for air for a couple of days after she sheds...why?
RalphDavis - albinos will stop at 2k........they better or it will be a crime
RalphDavis - and there will be some pisssed of newbies....:)
ratman23 - lol
RalphDavis - gasping?
RalphDavis - after the shed....
RalphDavis - not sure........
saltyjohn - yawning a bunch
saltyjohn - like every few seconds
RalphDavis - anytime a ball python elevates it's head to breath.......I worry
RalphDavis - any fluid in the mouth?
saltyjohn - but they stop after a day so..
saltyjohn - no fluid
RalphDavis - maybe its the nature of that snake....
RalphDavis - eats fine?
saltyjohn - just crazy i guess
RalphDavis - yep
saltyjohn - eats great
RalphDavis - your fine
saltyjohn - thanks

sambasoccer - What % of your c.b baby ball pythons do you estimate refuse to feed for a lengthy amount of time?
RalphDavis - less then 1 %
SirRandal - Don't know if you covered this or not, but Balls are notorius for going off feed, any tricks to get them going again?
RalphDavis - nope
RalphDavis - let them do what it is in their nature to do
RalphDavis - I don't sweat it at all..
RalphDavis - greed is the only thing that could possible make us want our snakes to pound when they do not wnat to
RalphDavis - i live with it now
RalphDavis - i have some gilrs here that own me.........:)
RalphDavis - lol
RalphDavis - they don't eat
RalphDavis - and they are perfectly fine with it

SOBERBIGJOHN - HI BUDDY, I CYCLE MY TEMPS AT 85 DURING THE DAY AND 72 AT NIGHT. I COOLED THEM DOWN SEPARTELY FOR 3-4 WEEKS AND PUT THEM TOGETHER. AS SOON AS I DID THEY LOCKED UP. HOW LONG DO YOU LEAVE THEM COOLED DOWN TOGETHER BEFORE WARMING THEM UP FOR MAXIMUM SUCCESS?
RalphDavis - wow
RalphDavis - leave the temps like that until March 31
RalphDavis - just keep breeding them
RalphDavis - your temps are good
SOBERBIGJOHN - kEEP THEM TOGETHER
RalphDavis - congrats!
RalphDavis - yes........keep rotating them through
Drew-Ralphette - sup Ralph
RalphDavis - no need to warm up in the winter
RalphDavis - enjoy the time off
SOBERBIGJOHN - HAVEN'T HAD ONE SINCE PHILA
RalphDavis - great John
RalphDavis - I'm glad buddy
tegukeeper - ralph what is your favorite morph and why?
RalphDavis - pied
RalphDavis - they are all different
SOBERBIGJOHN - TAKE CARE MY FRIEND, I'LL BE IN TOUCH
RalphDavis - hands down
RalphDavis - it is the classiest ball that there will ever be

tegukeeper - what about the clowns
RalphDavis - nadda on the clown
RalphDavis - cool name
tegukeeper - why
RalphDavis - but the snake does nothing for me
RalphDavis - i will produce them too....
tegukeeper - thanks

_Maxx - Hi Ralph. Which New Ball Python Morphs do you expect to see pop up in the 2003 season. Also do you expect that with the new morphs the older morphs will begin to be less popular and drop in price? Ps: Have any tips on convincing my parents to allow me to get a ball python?
RalphDavis - 2003..........who knows?
RalphDavis - the new mutations will not hurt the old....
RalphDavis - know why?
_Maxx - ok
_Maxx - Why?
RalphDavis - because the old are the real deal simple recessive
Kestrel- - they did with albino retics...
RalphDavis - hard earned bucks!!
_Maxx - oh ok
RalphDavis - not a 12 month tour to stardom
_Maxx - k ty
RalphDavis - retics are huge!!
RalphDavis - market is tiny
ratman23 - retics produce more Kes
RalphDavis - plus there was some bad politics there also
Kestrel- - yeah but the prices shot up on albinos because of the albino tigers.. *shuts up*
RalphDavis - it is so easy for one breeder to desztroy another

Boaboy00 - I have ALWAYS been curious ralph: How much does it cost to import your own fresh blood Albino ball? If you dont mind me asking... And if you catch ur male breeding only once so far (since Holloween), does that basically mean that they have been and will breed? And how often do u seperate? Sorry for all the questions..lots of people..long time till next turn!
RalphDavis - 3 to 4 k now on a baby wild albino
RalphDavis - and I would pay as much as 6
Boaboy00 - ok........
RalphDavis - new blood is importamnt on the albinos
Boaboy00 - how does one find an importer to import one for me?
RalphDavis - one breeding is all it takes.......
RalphDavis - but i would like to see more
Boaboy00 - yes.....
RalphDavis - keep at your breeding temps
RalphDavis - i seperate each weekend
Boaboy00 - ok
RalphDavis - they get the weekends off from breeding

CoreyE - Ralph, when do you start your cooling and how long do you keep your males and females seperate before you introduce them.
RalphDavis - I start in the first week of October
RalphDavis - I leave them seperate for one week...
RalphDavis - after that.........they are introduced off and on for the next 5 months

Crystall - Hello Ralph, I have a 3' female ball python that was born in mid 00' and I would like to breed her, what size male do you suggest I breed with her, and how many eggs can I expect?
RalphDavis - rest is the key to good breeding
RalphDavis - a smaller male

NCkeeper - Ralph, i just got 1.1 of 100% albino hets, what kind of outcome can i expect from the breeding?
RalphDavis - 750 to 1000 grams
RalphDavis - 4 to 6 eggs
RalphDavis - if she is plump
RalphDavis - the small girls can surprise the heck outa ya...

CTalbert> - I have a 2500g+ girl who stopped eating end of Sept and has been breeding ever since...when I palp her I think I feel small follicles but they don't seem to be lined up? Could those be follicles?
RalphDavis - 1.1 het
RalphDavis - 4 eggs
RalphDavis - 1 albino
RalphDavis - 1 normal
RalphDavis - 2 hets
RalphDavis - maybe
RalphDavis - but its early

NCkeeper - no way of knowing which is the normal?
RalphDavis - I can feel follicles this early......but you can't........:)
RalphDavis - keep going
davel - since you keep both balls and boas, to what extend do you try to keep everything separate?
RalphDavis - they each have their own "section"/
RalphDavis - no problems.

DOCP - Mr. Davis...can you please explain your feelings about your reputation in the BP market....that of being the most hated and the most loved of the BIG breeders???? :P
CTalbert - lol
RalphDavis - it's easy
DOCP - ;) hehe
RalphDavis - the breeders are jealous.............who cares....
RalphDavis - and the buyers love me because I tell them the way it is
RalphDavis - easy as pie...
DOCP - Tis true love ya bro
RalphDavis - stay the same with each person you encounter
RalphDavis - never any back peddling that way
Drew-Ralphette - Can you go into the BS or politics behind bp market
RalphDavis - sure
RalphDavis - I' am the politics

Finnigan - Hello again Ralph. Thanks for your time. I've read your article about your platty ball and I find it fascinating. But one thing puzzles me. If your male, when bred to normal females, gave 50% normals and 50% "lesser" platty's (but platty's nonetheless), then the "lesser" trait is dominant ... how come no other platty's have ever been found in the wild? I could understand if the one you have
Finnigan - has that "hidden" hypo gene, but if the platty's genetics are at least partially dominant, why aren't there more wild-caughts that look like your first generation offspring? Sorry for the long message.
Drew-Ralphette - Thanks Ralph
RalphDavis - maybe they all got squashed?
RalphDavis - I'm glad for the one and only platty
RalphDavis - but your question is right on
Finnigan - lol ... fair enough ... all that typing for a good laugh
RalphDavis - maybe I'm lucky?

FlTort - Yes Sir.......I am new to Ball Pythons and was wondering when they reach sexual maturity?
RalphDavis - males............a year old................females 16 months
RalphDavis - these are very early though
RalphDavis - the norm is males 18 months
RalphDavis - femnales 2 years or more

Herpo - when do you figure ball morps will run out of names and you will have to start stealing from the cornsnake crowd? Do you feel that the naming of very slightly different color in balls (with a commensurate upping of price) has gotten ludicrous?
RalphDavis - we will never run out of names
RalphDavis - just as long as we honestly have a new product
RalphDavis - the balls will out do the corns

HissThisHerps - Ralph, it was really nice to get a chance to talk with you at Tinley Park this year, even though it was a short talk. Do you think you will attend that show again? I've heard mixed feelings from different breeders on weather they will vend there again or not.
RalphDavis - i will go again
RalphDavis - i dont do the shows to sell
RalphDavis - just BS

Jarosh - Mr Davis you're my hero..hahahahahaha...Actually what are your feelings for the DIP that first sold an Albino Ball for $2500?
RalphDavis - he sucks!!
RalphDavis - small thinkre
RalphDavis - and all you guys wanting the price to drop?
RalphDavis - what do you want to dao?
RalphDavis - make ten bucks each in three more years
RalphDavis - anyway
RalphDavis - the person who went fishing with the 2,500.00 is a boner......
Jarosh - later

katey - i have a 6 month old male BP that seems to be afraid of food, i've tried all the normal stuff, if i use the rat to open his mouth slightly and get it started he constricts and eats fine, this has been going on for about 3 month's since i obtained him, any hints to get him going on his own besides trying live ?
RalphDavis - LIVE!
RalphDavis - sorry
katey - ok thanky :)
RalphDavis - but a live mouse at night
RalphDavis - with a nice warm DEEP hide box

Kestrel- - What the hella re IMG balls?
Kestrel- - are
Kestrel- - i've always wondered that
RalphDavis - Increased melenin gene??????
Kestrel- - Kevin has some for sale for what is it, 3K each?
RalphDavis - who knows?
RalphDavis - thats KEV
Kestrel- - just wonderign what the heck they are..
Kestrel- - heh
RalphDavis - he probably already proved the,........lol
Kestrel- - no i've seen some others for sale as well

killerbp - First, please allow me to say that the platty and old dirty joe are just awesome! Now for my questions, first, do you have any of your dinking around projects available or any possible possibles? If so what ones? Second, how would an interested person get the contact information for african exporters(short of going there ones self)?
Kestrel- - heh.
RalphDavis - email me for the "dinking details".............as far as an exporter contact...........
RalphDavis - it is like the holy of all holy
RalphDavis - find it yourself
killerbp - Please keep bringing us the awesome animals!!!!! my email is on its way to you!
RalphDavis - thats what anyone will say
RalphDavis - sorry......:(\
RalphDavis - ok killer

Kingmaconha - Ralph is it better to keep a BP in a Rack System or Cage?
Kingmaconha - lol
RalphDavis - i bet the ball likes a cage better
Kingmaconha - y?
Kingmaconha - more room?
RalphDavis - but to keep many........racks is the only way
RalphDavis - yes more room
matt2 - Ralph, we're up on the hour..would you like to continue on for an additional half hour?

robcornbrooks - is it true that in daytona two years ago you showed everyone your new morph the black-and-blue balls?
RalphDavis - that was MARS
RalphDavis - i will stay!!!!
robcornbrooks - lol
python86 - fatty rules
RalphDavis - yes he does

NCkeeper - Im trying my hardest to get my foor in the door. whats the best way? Im 18 and eager. I'm available to drop all schooling and come be your aprentice lol
RalphDavis - got any money?
RalphDavis - that would help
NCkeeper - a little
NCkeeper - got some hets raising now
RalphDavis - i don't need any helkp yet.
RalphDavis - send me an eamil
NCkeeper - ok
RalphDavis - cool

puttanesca - what do u think the new 'Coral Glows' are made from?
RalphDavis - lol
RalphDavis - i will let NERD tell...........
puttanesca - I'll ask him at white plains
RalphDavis - they are easy to make.........hows that?
RalphDavis - yes.......ask him

rosyboa - how long does the "woma" python get and what is the smallest python?
RalphDavis - woma.............8 feet?
RalphDavis - childrens are small..............not sure how small though?
RalphDavis - 2.5 feet

SOBERBIGJOHN - CAN THE PAIRS STAY TOGETHER DURING THE ENTIRE BREEDING PERIOD, AS I HERE SOME DO, OR IS A BREAK OCCASSIONAL BREAK THE THING TO DO? HOW WOULD YOU SUGGEST? YOU MENTIONED EARLIER YOU GIVE THEM OFF EACH WEEKEND? IF I LEAVE THEM TOGETHER IN A LARGE ENOUGH ENCLOUSE WOULD THAT BE COOL, OR DO YOU NOT RECOMMEND IT?
RalphDavis - seperate them totally
SOBERBIGJOHN - tTHEN AT WHAT POINT TOGETER?
RalphDavis - you know how you feel when your girl is out of site for a few days.......
RalphDavis - mix it up
NCkeeper - lol
SOBERBIGJOHN - GOOD POINT
RalphDavis - 4 days on.......3 days off
RalphDavis - one week one
RalphDavis - one day off.....
RalphDavis - play with it...........they will respond

sumofdeez - Ralph, I have a bp a 1 year old. She is about 3 1/2 feet long. She is having trouble switching over to eating rats. She seems to be afraid of them. Although she has eaten them before. What do you recommend I do to stimulate her to eat rats?
SOBERBIGJOHN - THANK YOU
RalphDavis - scent the rat with a mouse