Ball pythons, also known as royal pythons, are popular pet snakes due to their docile temperament, manageable size, and variety of color and pattern morphs. While normal or “wild-type” ball pythons have tan or brown background colors with dark brown blotches, many color and pattern mutations have been discovered and bred by snake enthusiasts over the years.
Some of the rarest and most sought-after ball python morphs can command prices of $10,000 or more from breeders and collectors. Rarity depends on how uncommon the genetic mutation is as well as how difficult it is to produce the desired visual appearance through selective breeding. Let’s take a look at some of the rarest and most expensive ball python color morphs.
The Blue Eyed Leucistic
One of the rarest morphs is the blue eyed leucistic, which completely lacks dark pigment. This results in a pure white snake with blue eyes. Leucistic ball pythons also have patternless scales. To achieve this morph, the snake must inherit two copies of the leucistic gene, which is a recessive mutation. If a snake only inherits one copy, it will be a normal looking snake known as a leucistic heterozygous. Breeding two leucistic heterozygotes together can produce leucistic offspring, but the odds are low, making this a very rare morph.
The Lavender Albino
Another exceptionally rare morph is the lavender albino, which results from a combination of two recessive genes – one for albinism and one for a color mutation called lavender. Albino ball pythons lack black and brown pigment, resulting in a bright yellow or white snake with pink or red eyes. The lavender mutation is characterized by light purple or silver-grey background coloration. By combining both recessive genes through carefully planned breeding, lavender albinos have a light purple base color with pinkish-red eyes. The odds of producing both mutations in a single snake are extremely low.
The Blue Eyed Lucy
Similar to the blue eyed leucistic, the blue eyed lucy is an all white snake with bright blue eyes. However, it is caused by a different genetic mutation. The lucy mutation eliminates black pigment while still allowing for yellow and brown colors to show. When combined with the blue-eyed leucistic gene, the result is an absence of all dark pigment, creating the vibrant bluish eyes on a white snake. This is an especially rare combo morph.
The Purple Passion
One of the most striking morphs is the purple passion ball python. It exhibits a bright iridescent purple sheen on each scale. The purple passion mutation originated from a snake called the dark rainbow boa. When combined with ball pythons, it created a morph with vivid purple to reddish coloration. They may also display white alien head markings on the head and neck. The intense purple sheen makes them highly desirable.
The Panda Pied
The panda pied ball python is coveted for its dramatic high contrast coloration. It combines the dominant pied gene, which produces large white blotches and markings, with the recessive panda gene which eliminates black pigment. This leaves a white snake with irregular patches of brown or yellow. The eyes may be black or partially pale blue. The panda pied morph is very rare and commands prices over $20,000.
The Sterling
Sterling ball pythons have a gorgeous silver-white base color with black markings on a satiny finish. They seem almost iridescent. The sterling mutation originated as a color variation of the lesser ball python. When combined with other recessive traits like albino and axanthic through specialized breeding, sterlings with bright white and silver tones can be produced. Their shining appearance is highly unique and desired.
The Orange Ghost
The pastel orange ghost combo produces a vibrant orange snake with bright markings. The ghost mutation reduces black pigment while allowing yellows and browns. When combined with the pastel gene, it creates a rich orange color. The orange ghost ball python has an appearance similar to a creamsicle. This bright hue is not seen in natural ball python populations, making the orange ghost a truly unique morph.
The Purple Albino
By mixing the albino and purple passion strains, purple albino ball pythons can be created. They possess the brilliant purple iridescence combined with the pinkish-red eyes and lack of dark pigment from albinism. The incredible vibrancy of purple coloration in an albino is highly prized. Raising the odds of getting both recessive traits in a single snake is challenging for breeders.
The Black Pewter
The black pewter exhibits a dark charcoal gray to black body color with muted brown and tan markings. It is a combination of the recessive black pastel and pewter mutations. The deep, dark grayscale appearance is quite unique. Producing a ball python with both the pewter and super black pastel traits makes black pewters very uncommon and coveted.
The White Wedding
White wedding ball pythons have a clean white body with few to no markings along with pale blue eyes. To achieve this look, breeders must combine three recessive traits – the mojave gene for brighter backgrounds, the Russo gene which removes most pattern, and the blue-eyed leucistic gene for eliminating all dark pigment. With all three required for the white wedding combo, it is challenging to produce these strikingly pale snakes.
Other Notable Rarities
Some other exceptionally rare ball python morph combos include:
- Ice – Combination of albino, leucistic, and Monster genes
- Green Python – Mixture of albino and green genes
- Lemon Blast – Combines blue-eyed lucy, pastel, and pinstripe
- Tangerine Hurricane – Albino lemon pastel glowing morph
- Killer Queen – Mojave and cinnamon morph combo
The endless possible combinations of recessive ball python morphs allows breeders to continually create new and exotic looking snakes. The rarest and most visually striking can sell for astronomical prices to collectors.
Conclusion
While normal ball pythons are relatively affordable pets, some of the rarest designer morphs command price tags in the tens of thousands. Rarity depends on how uncommon the genetic mutation is and how difficult it is to achieve through selective breeding programs. Some of the most valuable and coveted ball python colors include the blue eyed leucistic, lavender albino, purple passion, panda pied, and white wedding.
The huge variety of ball python color and pattern mutations allows for endless creativity when breeding for unique new morphs. For snake enthusiasts, part of the appeal and challenge is producing an extraordinarily rare specimen through specialized pairings. Each year new mutations and combos emerge as breeders mix and match diverse recessive trait combinations.
So for breeders and collectors seeking the rarest of the rare, an eye-catching ball python with multiple designer genes can become an invaluable centerpiece. The quest for the most unique colors and patterns helps fuel innovation in ball python morph development.
| Morph | Rarity | Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Eyed Leucistic | Extremely Rare | $20,000 – $100,000 |
| Lavender Albino | Extremely Rare | $20,000 – $80,000 |
| Blue Eyed Lucy | Very Rare | $5,000 – $30,000 |
| Purple Passion | Very Rare | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Panda Pied | Extremely Rare | $20,000 – $50,000 |
| Sterling | Rare | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Orange Ghost | Rare | $1,000 – $5,000 |
| Purple Albino | Extremely Rare | $15,000 – $50,000 |
