Ball pythons are beautiful snakes, typically clad in a handsome combination of brown, gray, and black markings. Many ball python lovers have started their own business by breeding the pythons and selling them. Candino is a recessive mutation but will always yield more Candinos when bred with an Albino. Since this time, dozens of other morphs have made their way into the hands of breeders (and some have spontaneously appeared in normal-looking lines). For example, morphs passed on in incomplete dominant/co-dominant fashion often fall in price much more rapidly than those passed on in simple recessive fashion. These designer morphs have various coloration and patterns achieved due to selective breeding and genetic prediction. Once the eggs are laid, they need to be incubated, and this can either be done by you or the female snake. After the eggs hatch, you now have your very own baby ball python! But some ball pythons look extremely different from others. Ghost ball pythons vary significantly in appearance, but most look “hazy” with muted colors. Learn more in our Ball Python Behavior guide: By Ben Team Last update: June 30, 2018 15 Comments I still remember my first ball python (Python regius). But we’ll explain the basics below: Your ball python will require a habitat that provides between 3 and 6 square feet of space. The axanthic morph is passed on in a simple recessive manner. Ball PythonsBreeding; Rating. Super Blast Ball Python – Of the morphs so far, this python is yellow in color but with a characteristic lavender-colored head. The best examples of the morph bear very bright, crisp, high-contrast coloration and an extremely reduced, atypical pattern. The Identification Guide for Ball Python Killer Bee The Identification Guide For Ball Python Killer Bee. This is one of the most popular morphs available today. Axanthic ball pythons are a rare morph. If you are looking to breed your own ball python morphs then we would highly recommend that our readers check out The Ultimate Ball Python: Morph Maker Guide by Kevin McCurley. Your email address will not be published. But some of the most attractive ball pythons, in my opinion, are those that feature two or more mutations. By the late 1980s and early 1990s, ball python breeders were combing over shipments and looking out for unusual ball pythons. In most cases, these different lines are produced by different genes. This morph is very similar to the Albino ball python but features gray scales instead of white. The champagne ball python (which is also called the pastel champagne) is a co-dominant/incomplete dominant morph, but the super form of the mutation is thought to be lethal. By Reptile King July 24, 2020 3:52 pm Table of Contents. However, the popularization of morphs has definitely changed the way that society views and values ball pythons.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'beyondthetreat_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',135,'0','0'])); Despite the fact that each morph behaves the same and has the same abilities as a standard ball python, they can look quite different and very attractive. I think the caramel glow ball python, for example, is a glorious looking animal. The caramel gene is passed on in simple recessive fashion. Your email address will not be published. It’s not clear, in most cases, whether the gene responsible for the morph is the cause for these differences, or they are the result of other traits, that just so happen to occur in the same lines. But over time, people began eating fewer snakes (although they still appear on menus around the world) and keeping more of them as pets. Copyright 2018-2020 © All rights Reserved. In the context of ball python morphs: an animal carrying only one mutant gene (half the pair) is heterozygous, or simply “Het”. To breed BEL ball pythons, you'll need to combine a Lesser and Mojave, a Mojave and Phantom, or a Phantom and a Lesser. Designer-Morphs. Most will have the same basic aesthetic, but they’ll display subtle differences. Click below to find the new & improved Ball Python Morph Guide :) Info below is gradually being removed, this info is only here until the new site is fully up and running. © 2020 Beyond The Treat | Amazon Associates Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Fire (or fireball) ball pythons who have only one copy of the gene are relatively normal-looking snakes, although their golden tones are especially satiny and their dark pattern elements feature warm, rich hues. Ball pythons reach sexual maturity in 3-5 years and have a 15-30 year lifespan in captivity. There is also a wide variety of beautiful ball python color morphs available. I haven’t personally worked with many ball python morphs, although I did maintain a small colony of pastel ball pythons years ago. This basically means it’s carrying a recessive gene, but not showing it. The striking white scales and blue eyes of this morph helps it stand out from all other ball python morphs that exist. Many morphs are really attractive. These morphs are desired more than other morphs due to their individual characteristics that set them far apart from the other morphs. For example, Mojaves, lesser platinums, butters and Russo-line leucistics all have compatible genes. Nevertheless, they’re both compatible and produce blue-eyed leucistic animals when bred together (in any combination). We estimate there are now over 4,000 different morphs in captivity! The rarer the morph is, the higher the ball python price is. Some mutations cause protein to be made, others prevent the production of protein. A very rare morph that's highly desired by snake enthusiasts. Ball Python Morph. Quick grasp on for this can spot a single ball python! It is a co-dominant mutation. Spider Ball Python Morph Appearance. Under normal circumstances, snakes shed off their skin as they grow, and it is also normal for snakes to shed off the old coat and replace it with the most beautiful coat. If you’re trying your hand at breeding and producing ball python morphs, you are sure to be excited about the awesome potential of the fire gene. These types of unusual and genetically heritable color patterns are typically called “morphs” by hobbyists. It tends to have pink or red eyes. The gestation period of a snake is between 28 and 45 days, meaning that you can acquire a healthy amount of eggs and subsequent snakes in a very short amount of time. Simple cinnamon ball pythons are a bit underwhelming to look at, as they essentially look like relatively dark (if contrasting) ball pythons. Individuals with two copies of the gene appear almost completely white (leucistic) and bear black eyes. Located in Manassas, Virginia, its price is currently unlisted. The Mojave pattern of this morph is appreciated by many. They were commonly kept, but snake keepers would always look to other kinds of snakes that were more physically-appealing, unique, and classy.eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'beyondthetreat_com-box-4','ezslot_4',134,'0','0'])); From 1989-1991, "attractive" ball pythons of all colors and patterns were purchased from importers for a slightly higher price. In fact, while they’re also gentle and rewarding captives, their attractive coloration is … The caramel ball python is a lavender, yellow, brown and cream snake with deep red eyes. Albino Ball Python – As the name suggests, this is a pale snake, typically bright white with yellow markings, although it can be completely yellow. Additionally, the top of this morph's head is faded in color. A simple recessive trait, the piebald gene causes snakes to exhibit large areas of normal pattern and coloration, which is broken up by large swaths of pure white skin. While it's obvious that many different ball pythons look very different, not many people know that that's because ball pythons have things called "morphs" that cause these differences. Required fields are marked *, Get exclusive pet tips, tricks, and fun stuff that we love :), About         Contact         Medical Disclaimer         Terms         Privacy. There are more than 7,000 different morphs of ball pythons in captivity. The spider morph is inherited in some type of dominant fashion; animals only require one copy of the mutated gene to exhibit an altered appearance. If you are just looking for an exotic pet then do not worry too much about bloodline. Ball Python Care Guide: How to Keep Your Snake Happy. Morphisms are mutations in a ball python's proteins, resulting in a (sometimes drastic) different look while maintaining the same physical capabilities. GHI comes from the phrase "Gotta Have It", as this is a morph that's desired by snake keepers. Black Pastel Ball Python Morph – A Complete Guide The Black Pastel Ball Python Morph is less popular than some of the other Ball Python morphs. Good question. Unique one-of-a-kind ball python morphs also emerge sometimes, tending to fetch a substantial amount of money more than that. The color tends to become pale and specked along the sides of the belly. It is more apparent when the ball python is excited. This morph is light brown, black, and white and is commonly used for breeding due to its eye-catching pattern on its back and its white-colored underside. They may simply be a slightly different shade of brown or possess slightly unusual markings. The 18 mutations described above are all beautiful and interesting in their own right, but many hobbyists and breeders enjoy combining more than one mutation in the same snake. You may produce unique-looking babies that have both the banana gene and other traits. This ailment occurs as a result of wrong cross breeding or wrong gene mutation. He lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his beautiful wife and spoiled-rotten Rottweiler. It is often crossed with other co-dominant mutations to create designer snakes. Easily one of the most unique and stunning morphs that exists. Snakes that possess two copies of the pastel gene are typically called “super pastels,” and they are much brighter or lighter in color than typical pastels. Since morphs are, for the most part, ​superficial differences, there are no differences in their basic needs. The normal morphs are the most common and are the ones usually sold in big pet stores. This one may have more black coloration; that one may have a partial stripe down his back. One of the first morphs to be established, the “albino” ball python (which is better described as being amelanistic) remains one of the most eye-catching morphs available. Ball pythons are not creatures that have been owned for a very long time. He was born into a family with a dog named Murphy, and since then has owned several other dogs, mice, ferrets, fish, geckos, and a cat. But, because the amelanistic gene is passed along in simple recessive fashion, it wasn’t until these initial offspring were bred back to the father to produce what were likely the first captive-bred albino snakes in 1961. Accordingly, axanthic ball pythons have a pseudo-black-and-white appearance. A light tan and orange snake, this python features dorsal stripes and circles that are irregular in shape. They can't be found in the wild, and are only created when a Spider and Pastel ball python are bred. In other cases, the morph alters the pattern of the snake. Axanthic ball pythons lack the yellow pigment known as ‘xanthin’ in their genes, which results in the striking color combinations of black, grey, brown and white. The butter is a mixture of genes with the Lesser, Mojave, Russo, and Phantom. Guide to Ball Python Morphs With 18 of the Most Common Types Ball pythons are beautiful snakes, typically clad in a handsome combination of brown, gray, and black markings. As with all albino animals, the albino ball python can be prone to illnesses and skin problems, but it is a stunningly beautiful variety, not to mention extremely popular. Albino (amelanistic) ball pythons, for example, display white colors where normal ball pythons would display black colors. The Axanthic Ball Python is a colour morph. There are currently about 26 primary ball python morphs that change the physical appearance and price of those ball pythons drastically. However, I did work extensively with a few carpet python (Morelia spilota ssp.) It also has an all-white belly and is a co-dominant morph. Ball pythons are the best snake pets bred by many snake pet owners as they have many morphs. It features a bright yellow color with a light lavender-colored head. It is threatened by hunting for its meat and for the international pet trade. But first, you’ll need to learn three key terms: With these definitions in mind, we can begin discussing the basic ways ball python mutations are passed on. There is no universally agreed-upon number of primary morphs that exist. Of course, there are literally thousands of different ways ball python breeders could combine various traits, so a complete list of combinations is beyond the scope of this article. Every living thing is made up of DNA, which is a molecule that carries the instructions for growth and development in that living being. (2020 Cost Breakdown). However, the basic idea comes down to mutations. The amelanistic gene is passed on in simple recessive fashion, meaning that both parents must have at least one copy of the gene to produce amelanistic offspring. The coral glow and banana ball python morphs are not entirely understood at the moment. Before purchasing your new leopard gecko for sale, do your homework on proper leopard gecko care including habitat setups! The book has proven to be a huge hit with the ball python owning … Now that you understand more about morphs and the way they’re passed on to their offspring, you’re ready to start learning about some of the most common morphs on the market. The different types of this docile constrictor acquired through careful interbreeding done by pet keepers are in high demand. The term “wobble” is used to describe a ball pythons whose head will wobble side to side and occasionally flip backward and upside down. Not rated. When these mutations are present in the sex cells (sperm and eggs) of the parents, they can be passed on to their children and continue to be passed down for generations. While all of the ball python morphs that exist have interesting characteristics that could be appealing to a wide variety of people, there are definitely favorite morphs that emerge. The Ultimate Ball Python: Morph Maker Guide. However, there are also morphs that don’t look substantially different from normal ball pythons. Piebald ball pythons are some of the most jaw-dropping animals in the entire reptile-keeping hobby. Although it's albino, this python has a yellow pigment along with its white scales and classic pink eyes. Because of this, many breeders opt to incubate the eggs to allow the female to keep eating and stay healthy. 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