Ball pythons are fantastic snakes for any beginner reptile enthusiast to keep. They are slow-moving, friendly and come in many different colors and patterns.
Ball python morphs are uniquely colored and patterned types of ball pythons.
Many morphs have been developed over the past three decades. Thanks to the work of breeders, there are now more than one thousand types of ball python morphs.
To produce morphs breeders selectively pair uniquely-colored and patterned pythons together. This isolates and strengthens the genes that cause those colors.
With names like ‘Enchi’ and ‘Spinner,’ these morphs can seem confusing. Keep reading as we share the top 75 morphs, their names, colors, meanings, genetics and more.
SIMILAR:
Ball Python Morphs
1. Piebald
The piebald ball python is a one-of-a-kind snake that is very popular. These morphs are mostly pure white, but have paint-like patches of color along their bodies from the neck down. These patches can vary in color from the dark brown of a wild-type, to pale yellow, orange or black. Piebald pythons do not have white heads, giving them a normal appearance from the neck up.
- Breeder: Peter Kahl Reptiles
- Date: 1997
- Parents: Piebald x Piebald
- Price: $300-700
2. Banana
Banana ball pythons have the standard pattern, but with creamy, pale colors that give them their banana-like appearance. Their base color is typically lavender or gray, while the patterns are yellow, tangerine, or salmon, with white edging. This morph is co-dominant, meaning that only one parent needs to carry the Banana gene to produce Banana offspring. This means banana pythons are fairly common.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Banana x Any
- Price: $500-750
3. Albino
One of the oldest ball python morphs, Albinos are white with pink eyes and varying shades of yellow markings. Albinos are unable to produce melanin, which is the pigment that causes black and brown coloration. There are two “strains” of Albino ball pythons: high contrast and low contrast. High contrast snakes are white with yellow or orange markings; and low contrast snakes are an almost pure yellow.
- Breeder: Bob Clark Reptiles
- Date: 1992
- Parents: Albino x Albino
- Price: $200-400
4. Spider
The Spider ball python is another relatively old morph that has kept its popularity. These snakes are brown along the sides, with a lighter spine and a white speckled belly. The most defining characteristic of this snake is their thin, spiderweb-like pattern of black stripes and spots. Unfortunately, the Spider gene that creates this beautiful pattern is also linked to a neurological disorder called “spider wobble” that can affect the health of some snakes.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Spider x Any
- Price: $150
5. Pastel
Pastels look very similar to a standard, but have lighter overall colors and markings. Most Pastels are yellowish brown with dark brown markings and a high level of blushing. Blushing is used to describe the very light areas in the center of the dark brown pattern along the spine. Pastels also have unusual green or amber eyes, white lips and a white underbelly without speckling. Breeding two Pastels together will produce a Super Pastel.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1997
- Parents: Pastel x Any
- Price: Under $100
6. Blue-Eyed Leucistic
The Blue-Eyed Leucistic morph (often called “BEL” or Blue-Eyed Lucy) is a truly special snake that was only recently bred. BEL pythons are entirely white with striking blue eyes and no markings. These snakes are the result of breeding the Mojave and Lesser morphs together. They are highly prized and some exceptional individuals sell for $500 or more.
- Breeder: Limitededitionreptiles
- Date: 2014
- Parents: Mojave x Lesser
- Price: Less than $600
7. Champagne
The Champagne is quite unusual and is often used as a base by breeders developing more complicated designer ball python morphs. Champagnes are soft, purplish tan on the tops of their bodies, and this color fades into a light beige on the sides and underbelly. They also have a pale stripe along their spines, which is usually solid towards the tail and broken into segments closer to the head.
- Breeder: EB Noah
- Date: 2005
- Parents: Champagne x Any
- Price: $250
8. Axanthic
Similar to the Albino morph, the Axanthic ball python is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to a lack of pigment. Whereas Albinos lack black and brown colors, axanthic coloration comes from a lack of red and yellow pigments. Axanthics have the same hues and patterns of a standard wild-type, just in shades of black, white and gray.
- Breeder: Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (VPI)
- Date: 1997
- Parents: Axanthic x Axanthic
- Price: $200
9. Mojave
The Mojave is a codominant morph that is often used to breed other morphs with complex patterns; a good example of this is the Blue-Eyed Leucistic. Mojave morphs have high-contrast colors, ranging from dark brown to black to beige. Their patterns are also different as they have single, heart-shaped blotches with yellow flaming. Their ‘Mojave pattern’ is very unique when compared to the usual ‘alien-head’ side markings of ball pythons.
- Breeder: The Snake Keeper
- Date: 2000
- Parents: Mojave x Any
- Price: $100
10. Panda Pied
Panda Piebalds are a great example of how pre-existing morphs can be bred into something new. Panda Piebald ball pythons are white with large, velvety black spots on their backs and sides. Most Pandas have only 3-4 spots, and the highest-selling individuals may only have two spots, one on the head and one on the tail. Snakes of this morph are tricky to breed and so are less available and expensive.
- Breeder: Outback Reptiles
- Date: 2008
- Parents: Piebald x Super Black Pastel
- Price: $2,000+
11. Stormtrooper
The Stormtrooper is a unique morph, and little is known about its genetics or origin. A single Stormtrooper ball python was bred in 2015 by crossing a Pastel to an Axanthic. At first she appeared to look like an Axanthic Spider, but her black markings spread with every shed until she was almost fully black! So far, the breeder has not been able to breed this morph again.
- Breeder: JD Constriction
- Date: 2015
- Parents: Pastel x Axanthic
- Price: Not available for sale
12. Clown
The Clown gene is a mutation that impacts both the color and pattern of a ball python. Clown ball pythons are well known for a thick stripe along their spines, which is typically dark brown. They also have complex, spotty head patterns that give them a comical appearance. The base color for this snake is tan, amber or copper and tends to fade as they grow older.
- Breeder: Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (VPI)
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Clown x Clown
- Price: $250
13. Scaleless
The Scaleless is exactly what it sounds like: a ball python without scales. This snake is by far one of the most unique morphs out there. Scaleless pythons have skin but no scales, though some variations have belly scales. The Scaleless is not for everybody and requires unique husbandry because of its unprotected skin.
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 2013
- Parents: Scaleless x Any
- Price: $2,500
14. Firefly
The Firefly morph is a color mutation that creates a strikingly bright yellow and black ball python. Fireflies are a rich yellow with tan bands spaced evenly down their bodies. These bands are rimmed with black and have a strong flaming effect. Their color is similar to a Killer Bee. This snake is sometimes crossed with others to create combinations like the Firefly Ghost or Axanthic Firefly.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: 2006
- Parents: Fire x Pastel
- Price: $150-200
15. Black Back
Black Back ball pythons are a variation of the traditional wild-type. There is not much information available on when they were first bred; however, it is likely that they were found as natural wild morphs. The Black Back has the colors and patterns of a normal ball python, except for a thick, unbroken black and brown dorsal stripe.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Black Back x Any
- Price: $100
16. Fire
At first glance, the Fire morph looks identical to a standard wild-type ball python. However, a good breeder can tell that this morph has subtle differences that set it apart. Fires are lighter in color, changing from gold along the spine to a washed-out tan on the sides and belly. Their patterns are typically dark brown, which fade to grayish black along the sides.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Fire x Any
- Price: $100-500
17. Lavender Champagne
Lavender Champagne ball pythons are bred from a Champagne and Lavender Albino. This crosses a recessive gene with a co-dominant one. The base color of a Lavender Champagne is pale pink, lavender, or gray, fading to white on the belly. These snakes have crisp yellow patterns that are edged with red and orange. As they mature, these colors lose their high contrast and become more muted.
- Breeder: Michael Powell
- Date: 2011
- Parents: Champagne x Lavender Albino
- Price: $550
18. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a very popular morph that sells for $50-100. Cinnamon ball pythons look like a wild-type, but with higher contrast and overall darker markings. Their darker markings mean they have minimal blushing and are more muted in appearance. As they age, their base color changes to a grayish brown and their patterns become almost black.
- Breeder: Graziani Reptiles Inc.
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Cinnamon x Any
- Price: $50-100
19. Killer Bee
Killer Bee ball pythons are the result of breeding the Super Pastel and Spider morphs. The Killer Bee takes the intricate colors and patterns of its parents to another level, making it highly prized among breeders. This morph is known for their bright yellow coloration and thin black stripes, often with patches of white between the stripes. Killer Bees retain their vibrant colors well into adulthood.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Super Pastel x Spider
- Price: $200-2000
20. Enchi
The Enchi was first bred in 2002 from a pair of wild-caught ball pythons found in Ghana. Enchi ball pythons are a bright golden color with thin, chocolate markings that are close to the pattern of a standard. They also have light brown speckles on their backs that give them an almost pixelated appearance.
- Breeder: Sweball
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Enchi x Any
- Price: $150
21. Purple Passion
The Purple Passion is a beautiful morph bred from the co-dominant Phantom and Mojave genes. Ball pythons with these genetics are light purple or pinkish gray with a cream-colored stripe running down their backs. These snakes often have dark gray eyes and white lips. The majority of Purple Passions have no patterns, though there are some with white spots and keyholes.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 2007
- Parents: Mojave x Phantom
- Price: $400
22. Pinstripe
Pinstripe ball pythons are named for the prominent light stripe down their spines. This stripe is bordered by thin black bars, which may also wrap around the snake’s sides. The base color of the pinstripe ranges from honey to caramel to pink. This morph was first proven in 2001 and has subsequently become a favorite of hobbyists.
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 2001
- Parents: Pinstripe x Any
- Price: $150
23. Yellow Belly
Yellow Bellies can be hard to separate from wild-types, unless you know exactly what to look for. This type of ball python has a clean, white or yellowish underbelly with black speckles along the outer edges. Their pattern has a light yellow edging and a richer overall color. Breeding two Yellow Bellies together produces an Ivory morph, also called a “Super Yellow Belly.”
- Breeder: Amir Soleymani
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Yellow Belly x Any
- Price: $100
24. Banana Pied
Banana Pied ball pythons are white with patches of Banana coloring and pattern. The Banana Pied morph (or Banana Piebald) can sell for $500 to $1500, depending on the quality of the pattern and genetics. Rarer individuals have fewer spots and crisper markings, whereas more common individuals may have alternating white and Banana spots.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Banana Ball x Piebald
- Price: $500-1500
25. Mystic Potion
Mystic Potion ball pythons are a great example of a morph that was specially developed for unique and rare traits. These snakes are an almost iridescent combination of purple, white, and pink colors. They have a silvery dorsal stripe and blue eyes. Mystic Potions tend to fade to a darker gray hue and may develop pale rosette patterns along their sides as they age.
- Breeder: Anthony McCain
- Date: 2009
- Parents: Mojave x Mystic
- Price: $400
26. Ghost
Ghost ball pythons are also called ‘Hypo’ or ‘Hypomelanistic’. The Ghost morph is a less-extreme variation of the Albino. Snakes with these genes produce less melanin in their skin, leading to a pale brown color with hazy markings. Ghosts are often compared in appearance to wild-types that are about to shed with milky white colors.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1994
- Parents: Ghost x Ghost
- Price: $100
27. Super Pastel
The Super Pastel is produced by breeding two Pastel ball pythons together. This means the Super Pastel has two hom*ozygous (i.e. identical) alleles of the Pastel gene. Super Pastels are a bright yellowish brown with reduced patterns and a purplish tinge often known as a “purple haze.” This morph has more blushing than Pastels and their markings are generally thinner with lighter patches along the spine.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Pastel x Pastel
- Price: $200
28. Lesser
The Lesser morph (or Lesser Platinum) is unusual among ball pythons because no two look the same. In some cases, Lesser pythons appear yellow with caramel markings; in others, they look similar to the Mojave. Lessers are often used as a base when breeding other morphs as the Lesser gene enhances the offspring’s colors and blushing.
- Breeder: Ralph Davis Reptiles
- Date: 2001
- Parents: Lesser x Any
- Price: $150
29. Lemon Blast
Lemon Blast ball pythons are the result of breeding a Pastel morph to a Pinstripe. Lemon Blasts combine characteristics of each parent and are typically yellow or sandy orange with a light, patternless dorsal stripe. Their markings are thin and dark, looking almost like paint drips. Some individuals may have speckles near their bellies. The Lemon Blast is one of the more affordable morphs, coming in at $200-$300.
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Pastel x Pinstripe
- Price: $200-300
30. Sunset
The Sunset is a truly spectacular ball python morph that must be seen to be believed. The first Sunset was a wild-caught individual from Africa that was sold to a breeder for $70,000! Sunset pythons are a rich, burnt orange that fades into yellow on their underbellies. They are patterned with wavy spots that are slightly darker than the base color and have a red, maroon or orange hue.
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 2012
- Parents: Sunset x Sunset
- Price: $10,000+
31. Ivory
The Ivory morph is the Super form of the Yellow Belly. Breeding two Yellow Belly ball pythons together will produce this off-white Ivory snake with no patterns, except for a yellow dorsal stripe. They have striking black eyes and a lavender-colored head that can be hazy purple or dark gray.
- Breeder: The Snake Keeper
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Yellow Belly x Yellow Belly
- Price: $200-300
32. Dreamsicle
Dreamsicle ball pythons are a combination of three different genes: Lavender, Albino and Piebald. They are white with bright orange bars and stripes, interrupted by patternless sections. Their orange markings are rimmed with darker red. Dreamsicles are truly eye-catching and have unusual pinkish-purple eyes and pink blushing on their heads.
- Breeder: Ralph Davis Reptiles
- Date: 2007
- Parents: Lavender Albino x Piebald
- Price: $2500
33. Banana Pastel
Banana Pastel morphs are mostly lavender, with pale yellow on their backs and pinkish gray markings. They have very little orange pigment and show fewer black speckles than the normal Banana. Banana Pastels vary widely in price from $200 up to $3,000.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Ball x Pastel
- Price: $200-3000
34. Butter
The Butter morph was first isolated from wild-caught ball pythons in 2001. Since then, it has been refined into the beautiful snake it is today. These ball python morphs have a soft caramel base color with gold markings that are surrounded by black edging. Breeding two Butter snakes together has a slim chance of producing a Blue-Eyed Leucistic.
- Breeder: Reptile Industries
- Date: 2001
- Parents: Butter x Any
- Price: $150
35. Highway
The Highway is named for its unusual appearance, looking like it has a road on its back! Highway ball pythons are dark, coppery brown with dark gold and gray flecks on their sides. Their most striking feature is the broken yellow line that runs from neck to tail. This yellow line is surrounded by black, adding to the appearance of a lane marking on a street.
- Breeder: The Animal Company
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Gravel x Yellow Belly
- Price: $500-700
36. Super Black Pastel
Breeding two Black Pastel ball pythons will create a Super Black Pastel morph. This stunning snake is easily recognizable as it is almost entirely black. These snakes have no markings, silver underbellies and pale lips. Some individuals may have light flecks of silver on their sides, though the most prized are a solid gradient from black on top to silver on the bottom.
- Breeder: Gulf Coast Reptiles
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Black Pastel x Black Pastel
- Price: $3,000
37. Coral Glow
Coral Glow (often called White Smoke) is a basic morph first developed in 2002. This morph is a form of hypomelanism and is in the same genetic group as the Ghost, Pastel and Albino. Coral Glows have a lavender base color with black speckles, similar to a Banana royal python. Their markings are bright yellow with orange blushing and lighter yellow rims.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Coral Glow x Any
- Price: $300
38. Ghi
The Ghi ball python is an example of a morph that exists in wild populations. Three of these ball pythons were found in shipments of wild snakes by breeder Matt Lerer in 2007. He subsequently bred them to refine the color and pattern. Ghi pythons have a black base color with golden, speckled markings that form stripes across the tops of their backs.
- Breeder: Matt Lerer
- Date: 2007
- Parents: Ghi x Any
- Price: $100
39. Super Cinnamon
Super Cinnamon morphs are chocolatey brown or charcoal, depending on their genetics. These snakes are hom*ozygous meaning they have two alleles of the Cinnamon gene. Super Cinnamons have clean, creamy bellies and no markings. They also have a unique reflective, iridescent shine that shows up in bright lighting and gives them a silky appearance. Super Cinnamons are typically sold for $500-600.
- Breeder: Gulf Coast Reptiles
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Cinnamon x Cinnamon
- Price: $500-600
40. Urban Camo
The Urban Camo is one of the most recent ball python morphs and is one-of-a-kind. The first Urban Camo was hatched from a female Piebald bred with a male Pewter Het Pied in 2010. This morph is alternating white with large patches of gray. Their gray patches are mottled with black, charcoal, silver, and white in a beautiful random pattern. Urban Camo pythons can sell for over $6,000 because of their rarity and newness.
- Breeder: Osborne Reptiles
- Date: 2010
- Parents: Piebald x Pewter Het Piebald
- Price: $6,000
41. Puzzle
The Puzzle ball python is a pattern-based morph that is quite new, being first bred in 2011. These snakes are yellow along the spine, reddish brown on the sides and white on the belly. However, the Puzzle gene most heavily affects their pattern. Puzzles have thick, geometric black markings rimmed with white that look like puzzle pieces.
- Breeder: ExoticsbyNature
- Date: 2011
- Parents: Puzzle x Puzzle
- Price: $750-3000
42. Cinnamon Banana
The Cinnamon Banana is another variation of the Banana base morph. Snakes with these genes can be purple, gray, or pink, with orange and yellow leopard-print markings. The markings typically blush with white on the bottom and become darker towards the spine. Cinnamon Bananas can also have the black speckles seen in regular Bananas, though this is uncommon.
- Breeder: Albinos Unlimited Inc
- Date: 2012
- Parents: Banana x Cinnamon
- Price: $350
43. Super Fire
Super Fires can only be bred from two fire morphs. Super Fires are white with golden flecks along their bodies. They also often have orange and yellow blotches on their spines, the intensity of which depends on the colors and patterns of their parents. Some Super Fires have barely visible yellow markings, while others have unmistakable fiery orange patches with brown speckles.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Fire x Fire
- Price: $200-400
44. Orange Dream
The Orange Dream ball python has a vibrant orange and yellow base color with brown flaming. Occasionally some individuals have tan speckles. Orange Dreams have reduced patterns that are usually brown or beige, and fade towards the belly. As the pattern moves towards the tail, it takes on a striped appearance and can blend in with a yellow dorsal stripe. Their markings are surrounded by dark brown or black, which fades into the vibrant orange and yellow base colors.
- Breeder: OzzyBoids
- Date: 2004
- Parents: Orange Dream x Any
- Price: $10,000
45. Pewter
The Pewter ball python is the result of crossing two co-dominant morphs: Cinnamon and Pastel. Pewter pythons are ashy brown with a dusty gray underbelly and light dorsal stripe that can either be solid or broken into spots. They often have a well-defined keyhole pattern with tan blushings outlined in black. Pewters hatch with a light color scheme, but their colors grow darker with each shed.
- Breeder: Graziani Reptiles Inc
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Cinnamon x Pastel
- Price: $200
46. Leopard
Leopard ball pythons have the same unique spotted pattern of Leopard Geckos! Seeing one will instantly remind you of a jungle cat. They are a rich, golden brown that pales into a light yellow on their underbellies and darkens to orange on their backs. Their markings are irregularly shaped stripes with minimal brown flaming, dotted with solid black spots. Most Leopard morphs are Het Piebald, meaning they carry one copy of the pied gene without showing it. Breeding two of them together comes with a 25% chance of producing Piebald hatchlings.
- Breeder: Peter Kahl Reptiles
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Leopard x Any
- Price: $300
47. Rainbow
Rainbow is a very rare line of ball python morph whose exact genetics are still kept a secret. These snakes are dark purplish pink, with a light pink belly and salmon-colored head. They have a thick, apricot dorsal stripe and an interesting pattern of squares on each side of their body. These squares are rimmed with orange on the top and white on the bottom, with a peach flaming.
- Breeder: Herman-van-Hellem
- Date: 2015
- Parents: Rainbow x Rainbow
- Price: $4,000
48. Bamboo
Bamboo ball pythons are not as popular as other morphs, but they are known by breeders for their beauty and complex patterns. Their patterns consist of a chocolate-colored broken dorsal stripe with alternating bands that reach down their sides and fade into their base color. This python has a pale underbelly and light, dusty gray sides.
- Breeder: EB Noah
- Date: 2013
- Parents: Bamboo x Any
- Price: $500-750
49. Calico
The Calico morph comes from a dominant gene first proven in 2002 by New England Reptile Distributors. Calico ball pythons are rich caramel with a white underbelly and stark white sides. Their base color is covered by a black banded pattern with yellow flaming and orange edging. Calicos are fairly common and sell for $100-300.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Calico x Any
- Price: $100-300
50. Spinner
Spinner ball pythons have a tan base color with a pale gold spine and speckled white belly. Their tan base color fades into their belly with an unusual dusting that is unique to Spinners. Like their parents, the Spider and Pinstripe, Spinners have very thin black stripes that wrap around their sides. Because these snakes share the Spider gene, some may have the same neurological “wobble.”
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 2004
- Parents: Pinstripe x Spider
- Price: $200
51. Paradox
Paradox ball pythons are by far the most interesting type of ball python on this list. Any python is called “paradox” if they have seemingly impossible patterns. A good example would be an albino with spots of black and brown. Instead of being a reproducible morph, this trait occurs because of a genetic fluke called chimerism. This happens when two embryos fuse into one individual with two sets of genes. Chimerism also happens in morphs of other reptiles like the Chimera axolotl..
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Any x Any
- Price: $1500
52. Albino Pied
Breeding an Albino with a Piebald morph has a slim chance of creating an Albino Pied ball python. This combination has an almost endless variety of patterns, though all of them will share the same basic color scheme. These snakes are white with pink eyes and patches of patternless yellow and light orange. Sometimes these yellow and light orange patches even turn out to look like smiley faces!
- Breeder: Roussis Reptiles
- Date: 2006
- Parents: Albino x Piebald
- Price: $800
53. Het Pied
Het Pied ball pythons carry one copy of the recessive Piebald gene so do not express it. They often look like wild-types, but have a hidden Piebald gene. Breeding two Het Pieds together gives a 25% chance of producing Piebald offspring that show the Pied pattern. The Pied pattern is only showm when a hatchling has two alleles (hom*ozygous) of the Het gene, any Het Pied will just have one. This morph cannot be identified by simply looking at the snake; instead, it requires a knowledge of the snake’s parents and genetics.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Het Pied x Het Pied
- Price: $100-150
54. Super Champagne
This morph is the Super form of the Champagne morph. Regular Champagnes are brown with a hint of lavender, Supers are entirely pink with no patterns and deep black eyes. Unfortunately, this genetic combination is lethal. Super Champagne morphs usually don’t make it to hatching, and those that do hatch die within hours or days. It is not known why Super Champagnes do not survive and breeders are no longer attempting to produce this snake.
- Breeder: Dave Green
- Date: 2012
- Parents: Champagne x Champagne
- Price: Not available for sale
55. Candino
Candino ball pythons (also Candy Albino morphs) are a stunning combination of whites, yellows and pinks. This snake is very light pink with orange keyhole markings and a broken dorsal stripe. Their markings often have white spots and yellow flaming, as well as white outlines. Candinos are produced from the albino gene so they have pink eyes and are not capable of producing melanin.
- Breeder: Mike Wilbanks
- Date: 2012
- Parents: Albino x Candy
- Price: $300
56. Mystic Banana
Mystic Banana ball pythons are a rare morph produced by crossing the co-dominant Banana and Mystic genes. These snakes are light yellowish brown with pale cream spots and keyholes. They may also have yellow blushing and patches of darker brown. These dark brown patches contrast nicely with their light pale cream spots and makes them look like an overripe banana.
- Breeder: Bryce Scofield
- Date: 2014
- Parents: Banana x Mystic
- Price: $600
57. Volta
Volta ball pythons are not a morph, they are actually a subspecies of ball python from Eastern Ghana. The name Volta comes from Lake Volta and the White Volta river, where these particular snakes are found. While common wild-types grow to be 4-6 feet, Voltas regularly grow larger than 6 feet and generally weigh more than the average ball python.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Subspecies
- Price: $150-250
58. Monsoon
The Monsoon ball python morph is a beautiful combination of colors and patterns that was only recently bred, in 2017. This ball python is called Monsoon because its intricate markings look like raindrops and streaks on a windowpane. These snakes are tan with a heavily speckled gray underbelly. They also have a brown dorsal stripe and random brown spotting and speckling across their entire bodies.
- Breeder: Dave Green
- Date: 2017
- Parents: Monsoon x Monsoon
- Price: $10,000
59. Pastel Pied
Pastel Pieds show traits from both their Piebald and Pastel parents. These snakes have a white base color that is broken up with blotches of tan and yellow that have irregular black patterns. Their tan and yellow markings are expressed very differently from morph to morph. This extremely high level of variation gives them a wide price range of $300 to $5,000.
- Breeder: Roussis Reptiles
- Date: 2005
- Parents: Pastel x Piebald
- Price: $300-5000
60. Bumblebee Clown
The Bumblebee Clown is the result of three different genes: Clown, Pastel, and Spider. Bumblebee Clowns are yellow with a cream underbelly and a dusting of light brown scales along their backs. They typically have a webby line of thin brown stripes that are darkest along the spine and lighter towards the belly.
- Breeder: Simon Ebbi
- Date: 2011
- Parents: Clown x Pastel Spider
- Price: $500
61. Redhead
Ball pythons with the Redhead gene have similar patterns and colors to wild-types, except for the tops of their heads. Redheads take on a distinct reddish hue. Most common wild-types have very little red pigment, so this red tinge makes them stand out. When bred to other morphs, the Redhead gene enhances the parent’s colors in the hatchlings.
- Breeder: The Mad Baller
- Date: 2011
- Parents: Redhead x Any
- Price: $100-600
62. Acid
Acid ball pythons are black or dark brown with warm brown markings. At first glance their markings are not too different from wild-types, but their underbellies show a unique zigzag pattern of black scales not found in other morphs. The Acid gene is dominant and is known to increase the irregularity of a snake’s pattern. This gene appears in all offspring bred from an Acid parent.
- Breeder: Josh Jensen
- Date: 2014
- Parents: Acid x Any
- Price: $1,500
63. Phantom
Phantom ball pythons look the same as a wild-type, except with richer, crisper colors. The uniqueness of the Phantom appears when bred to other morphs. The Phantom gene produces deeper colors and more pronounced flaming and blushing in hatchlings, similar to the Redhead. This snake is often kept by ball python breeders for their genetic potential, rather than for their appearance.
- Breeder: Ralph Davis Reptiles
- Date: 2005
- Parents: Phantom x Any
- Price: $100
64. Super Mojave
The Super Mojave morph is another strain of the Blue-Eyed Leucistic. Snakes of this morph are pale pink, purple, or white with no markings and clear blue eyes. Compared with traditional Blue-Eyed Leucistic pythons (which are a combination of Lesser and Mojave), Super Mojaves have noticeable purple hazing on their heads and necks.
- Breeder: Wes Harris
- Date: 2003
- Parents: Mojave x Mojave
- Price: $600
65. Spotnose
Spotnose ball pythons have light spots on the tops of their heads that are not found in other morphs. When compared to wild-types, they also have more rounded alien head patterns along their sides and less flaming. This gene mainly impacts the patterns of a snake. When bred to other morphs, the Spotnose gene only affects the patterns of the head and neck.
- Breeder: Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (VPI)
- Date: 2005
- Parents: Spotnose x Any
- Price: $150
66. Arroyo
The Arroyo is known for its wide dorsal stripe, which is one of the most defined out of all the ball python morphs. Their wide dorsal stripe is usually gold, yellow or beige. Arroyos are usually bred to other morphs to produce offspring with defined dorsal stripes. This snake’s base color is yellowish brown with thick black markings and a clean white belly.
- Breeder: Dan Wolfe
- Date: 2010
- Parents: Arroyo x Any
- Price: $400
67. Super Banana
Super Banana ball pythons are the hom*ozygous form of the Banana morph, meaning they have two Banana genes. These snakes have a grayish purple base color with pink blushing and yellow alien head markings. These alien head markings have a strong, white flaming that blends into the snake’s underbelly. Super Bananas also have a noticeable white head stripe that runs through each eye, from the nose to the back of the head.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Banana x Banana
- Price: $1,000
68. Green Ghost
The Green Ghost is a line of hypomelanistic ball pythons with a greenish hue to their base color. These snakes are pale yellow with dark gray markings and a faint, green hue that can be seen under certain lighting. Any hypo morph has a chance of being a Green Ghost, though breeding two Green Ghosts together gives a higher probability.
- Breeder: Unknown
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Ghost x Ghost
- Price: $200-300
69. Stranger
The Stranger morph is characterized by high amounts of black, combined with a golden dorsal stripe and dark, balloon-like markings with black speckling. The Stranger gene appears to darken all markings except for those on the very top of the snake, but it is not yet proven.
- Breeder: IRES Reptiles
- Date: 2012
- Parents: Stranger x Any
- Price: $15,000
70. Woma
Woma morphs are named for their close resemblance to the woma python, a separate species of snake native to Australia. Woma Ball pythons are brown with a tan spine and pale yellow belly. They are covered in thin, dark bands that form a saddle shape and have very little flaming.
- Breeder: New England Reptile Distributors
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Woma x Any
- Price: $250
71. Chocolate
The Chocolate ball python is fairly common and was one of the first ball python morphs developed. Bred by BHB Enterprises in 1999, Chocolate pythons have a dark, chocolatey base color with tan markings that follow the standard keyhole and alien head shape patterns. However, unlike common wild-types, Chocolates show caramel-colored spots that are contrasted by dark brown rings on their backs, necks and tails.
- Breeder: BHB Enterprises
- Date: 1999
- Parents: Chocolate x Any
- Price: $100-300
72. Lavender Albino
Lavender Albinos are a dark lavender base color with a golden-yellow pattern and red eyes. Close to their bellies they also have white flecks, which make them look almost metallic. The colors and patterns of this morph tend to be higher contrast and richer than regular albinos.
- Breeder: Ralph Davis Reptiles
- Date: 2001
- Parents: Lavender Albino x Lavender Albino
- Price: $700-10000
73. Banana Lesser
Banana Lessers are light brown with pale, creamy yellow markings. On some individuals the base color can be so light and yellowish that it almost blends with their pale, creamy markings. The Banana Lesser morph is often crossed with the Pastel to create Banana Lesser Pastels.
- Breeder: Brock Wagner
- Date: 2011
- Parents: Banana x Lesser
- Price: $400-1500
74. Snow
Like the Blue-Eyed Leucistic, there are two strains of Snow ball pythons: VPI and Jolliff. On first inspection, the Snow morph is completely white. However, a closer look reveals that this morph has heart-shaped, pale yellow patterns. These muted whites and yellows, along with their dark red eyes, make Snows a popular choice among hobbyists.
- Breeder: Vida Preciosa International, Inc. (VPI)
- Date: Unknown
- Parents: Albino x Axanthic
- Price: $450
75. Black Head
Black Head ball pythons have a jet-black or very dark brown base color and golden underbelly. Their patterns are similar to regular wild-types, but overall tend to be a darker gold. More expensive Black Heads have stronger, more velvety black colors that can cover the entire snake. Black Head morphs are often used as a base for more complicated designer morphs.
- Breeder: Ralph Davis Reptiles
- Date: 2002
- Parents: Black Head x Any
- Price: $300
Ball Python Morph Genetic Chart
| Name | Appearance | Parents | Genetics | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piebald | White with brown and black spots | Piebald | Piebald | Recessive |
| Banana | Lavender or tan base with yellow and pink pattern | Banana | Any | Co-dominant |
| Albino | White with yellow pattern and pink eyes | Albino | Albino | Recessive |
| Spider | Beige that fades to tan on the spine with thin black stripes | Spider | Any | Dominant |
| Pastel | Yellow-tan with light brown pattern | Pastel | Any | Co-dominant |
| Blue-Eyed Leucistic | Pure white with blue eyes | Mojave | Lesser | Designer |
| Champagne | Brown with a white belly and light dorsal stripe | Champagne | Any | Co-dominant |
| Axanthic | White with black and gray pattern | Axanthic | Axanthic | Recessive |
| Mojave | Yellow or gray with brown pattern | Mojave | Any | Co-dominant |
| Panda Pied | White with black patches | Piebald | Super Black Pastel | Designer |
| Stormtrooper | White with thin black stripes | Pastel | Axanthic | Designer |
| Clown | Amber with irregular brown spots and stripes | Clown | Clown | Recessive |
| Scaleless | No scales, any pattern and color | Scaleless | Any | Co-dominant |
| Firefly | Bright yellow with dark brown stripes | Fire | Pastel | Designer |
| Black Back | Brown with black pattern and dorsal stripe | Black Back | Any | Dominant |
| Fire | Gold with brown and gray pattern | Fire | Any | Co-dominant |
| Lavender Champagne | Lavender with yellow pattern | Champagne | Lavender Albino | Designer |
| Cinnamon | Dark brown with black pattern | Cinnamon | Any | Co-dominant |
| Killer Bee | Bright yellow with thin black stripes and spots | Super Pastel | Spider | Designer |
| Enchi | Gold with brown pattern and tan dusting | Enchi | Any | Co-dominant |
| Purple Passion | Light lavender with a cream dorsal stripe | Mojave | Phantom | Designer |
| Pinstripe | Caramel with thin black markings and a light dorsal stripe | Pinstripe | Any | Dominant |
| Yellow Belly | Brown with unmarked white belly and black pattern | Yellow Belly | Any | Co-dominant |
| Banana Pied | White with pink and yellow patches | Banana Ball | Piebald | Designer |
| Mystic Potion | Purplish pink with blue eyes and silver dorsal stripe | Mojave | Mystic | Designer |
| Ghost | Light brown or yellow with brown markings | Ghost | Ghost | Recessive |
| Super Pastel | Yellow with purplish brown markings | Pastel | Pastel | Co-dominant |
| Lesser | Honey colored base with chocolate markings | Lesser | Any | Co-dominant |
| Lemon Blast | Golden yellow with thin brown stripes | Pastel | Pinstripe | Designer |
| Sunset | Burnt orange with red pattern and yellow belly | Sunset Ball | Sunset Ball | Recessive |
| Ivory | Cream with a yellow dorsal stripe and dark eyes | Yellow Belly | Yellow Belly | Co-dominant |
| Dreamsicle | White with bright orange patches | Lavender Albino | Piebald | Designer |
| Banana Pastel | Lavender with yellow markings and black speckles | Banana Ball | Pastel | Designer |
| Butter | Soft yellow brown with chocolate markings | Butter | Any | Co-dominant |
| Highway | Purplish gray with speckles and bright yellow dorsal stripe | Gravel | Yellow Belly | Designer |
| Super Black Pastel | Black with silver belly | Black Pastel | Black Pastel | Co-dominant |
| Coral Glow | Purple with tangerine markings and orange blushing | Coral Glow | Any | Co-dominant |
| Ghi | Black with gold patterns and black speckles | Ghi Ball | Any | Co-dominant |
| Super Cinnamon | Grayish brown with pale bellies and no pattern | Cinnamon | Cinnamon | Co-dominant |
| Urban Camo | White with mottled gray and black patches | Piebald | Pewter Het Piebald | Designer |
| Puzzle | Yellow to white with white-rimmed black geometric pattern | Puzzle | Puzzle | Recessive |
| Cinnamon Banana | Purplish gray with orange patterns and white blushing | Banana | Cinnamon | Designer |
| Super Fire | White with orange and yellow spots and gold speckles | Fire | Fire | Co-dominant |
| Orange Dream | Orange and yellow color with faded brown pattern and yellow dorsal stripe | Orange Dream | Any | Co-dominant |
| Pewter | Gray-brown with tan keyholes | Cinnamon | Pastel | Designer |
| Leopard | Gold, tan, and white with black leopard spots | Leopard | Any | Dominant |
| Rainbow | Purplish pink with square, apricot patterning | Rainbow | Rainbow | Recessive |
| Bamboo | Gray with white belly and brown dorsal stripe | Bamboo | Any | Co-dominant |
| Calico | Caramel with a white underbelly, white sides, and black pattern | Calico | Any | Dominant |
| Spinner | Tan with thin, black web markings | Pinstripe | Spider | Designer |
| Paradox | Any genetically impossible color combinations | Any | Any | Chimerism |
| Albino Pied | White with pink eyes and patternless, yellow and orange blotches | Albino | Piebald | Designer |
| Het Pied | Brown with black pattern | Het Pied | Het Pied | Heterozygous |
| Super Champagne | Pink with black eyes and no pattern | Champagne | Champagne | hom*ozygous Lethal |
| Candino | Light pink with orange dorsal stripe and white spots | Candy | Albino | Designer |
| Mystic Banana | Yellow tan with cream spots and white keyholes | Banana | Mystic | Designer |
| Volta | Brown with black patters | Any | Any | Subspecies |
| Monsoon | Tan with gray belly and brown spots | Monsoon | Monsoon | Recessive |
| Pastel Pied | White with irregular patches of yellow and orange | Pastel | Piebald | Designer |
| Bumblebee Clown | Yellow with white belly and thin brown stripes | Clown | Pastel Spider | Designer |
| Redhead | Brown with black pattern and red hue to head | Redhead | Any | Dominant |
| Acid | Dark brown with rounded black markings and zigzag belly stripe | Acid | Any | Dominant |
| Phantom | Brown with crisp black pattern and bold colors | Phantom | Any | Co-dominant |
| Super Mojave | White with blue eyes and purple head | Mojave | Mojave | Co-dominant |
| Spotnose | Light head spots | Spotnose | Any | Co-dominant |
| Arroyo | Orange with dark brown markings and a wide dorsal stripe | Arroyo | Any | Co-dominant |
| Super Banana | Purple with yellow and white patterns | Banana | Banana | Co-dominant |
| Green Ghost | Pale brown with tan markings and a green hue | Ghost | Ghost | Recessive |
| Stranger | Dark brown or black with speckled brown markings and gold dorsal stripe | Stranger | Any | Dominant |
| Woma | Tan to brown with saddle-shaped brown stripes | Woma | Any | Dominant |
| Chocolate | Rich chocolate with brown markings and caramel spots | Chocolate | Any | Co-dominant |
| Lavender Albino | Pale purple with yellow markings and red eyes | Lavender Albino | Lavender Albino | Recessive |
| Banana Lesser | Brown or yellow with cream pattern | Banana | Lesser | Designer |
| Snow | White with pale yellow pattern and red eyes | Albino | Axanthic | Designer |
| Black Head | Black color with few, dark brown markings and gold belly | Black Head | Any | Co-Dominant |
Summary
Not many pet snakes are as popular as the ball python.
Their popularity and ease of breeding has led many herpetologists to breed ball python morphs.
Morphs are caused by genetic mutations that determine a ball python’s skin color and scale pattern. When a mutation occurs, breeders can breed it with other ball pythons to preserve and strengthen that mutation.
Morphs range from entirely white and unmarked to rusty orange snakes with black leopard spots. It is estimated there are now over 1,000 morphs.
As interest in ball pythons grows, new morphs are continuing to be developed every year.
What color and pattern combination is your favorite? Post a comment below to let us know.
