Ball pythons are some of the most popular reptiles among pet owners and reptile enthusiasts, but did you know that there are many extremely rare morphs of these snakes? Exceptionally stunning, rare ball python morphs are cultivated through the use of manipulated breeding techniques and hard-to-find genes to achieve desired outcomes concerning their eye-catching colors and patterns. These rare morphs have unique features and characteristics, making them sought after by breeders and collectors.
A majority of these beautiful creations are composed of one or more foundational morphs, including:
- Banana
- Piebald
- Champagne
- Pastel
- Spider
Here, we will explore 9 of the most uncommon ball python morphs, their distinct characteristics, and price points.
What Are the Rarest Ball Python Morphs?
A ball python morph is considered rare when it carries a gene that only a few people have discovered. However, these infrequently encountered varieties of pythons may not stay hard to come by for long; as breeders start reproducing them in order to sell, their popularity increases, and they eventually become more common – although this process typically takes years.
List of the 9 Rarest Python Morphs
All ball pythons in the United States trace back to African imports, which often don a variety of unique colors and patterns that have been verified as genetic by breeders. Occasionally, an entirely new morph is born if its gene hasn’t yet been discovered. Moreover, some are more popular than others while still being exceptionally rare. To determine a ball python’s morph, we must rely on its physical appearance, as no scientific testing is available. Here is the list of the 9 rarest ball pythons:
1. Blue-Eyed Leucistic
Blue-Eyed Leucistics are a mesmerizing species with their striking white color and alluring blue eyes, making them an incredible rarity. The reason why these snakes possess such unique beauty is due to their intricate genetics; leucism refers to the lack of pigment on a snake’s scales that produces its crystal clear shade of white.
The distinguishing characteristic of this python is its alluring blue eyes, even though some off-brand leucistic snakes can also acquire such a trait without actually being authentic blue-eyed specimens. The Mojave butter, lesser, Russo, specter, and phantom pythons are just a few that may exhibit the same beautiful hue in their orbs; however, the true blue-eyed leucistic is much rarer to find.
It’s not unusual for up to five generations of these snakes to pass by before one occurs with genuine cobalt-colored eyes! Some breeders consider it to be nearly a matter of chance, with success ratios as low as 25%.
Price Range
Leucistic morph gene specimens with a captivating blue hue are typically priced at $800 – 1100.
2. Bumblebee
The bumblebee ball is a rare mutation that combines pastel and spider morphs. The pastel gene creates a yellow-tan base – it’s codominant, which means one gene will still show some signs of the trait, but two genes will generate an even more visible difference.
On the other hand, the spider gene produces thin black stripes and spots in snakes; this dominant feature only requires one gene for full effect. Depending on two pastel morph genes, the appearance of this species will vary.
Variants can be tanned or highly bright yellow with white scatterings; among these specimens, the brightest yellows are known as “Killer Bees” and remain their striking shade into adulthood, unlike many other snakes that lose coloration over time.
Price Range
The majestic killer costs anywhere between $400 and $800. In comparison, the tan-yellow bumble bee is available at prices starting from just $175!
3. Butter
The Butter Ball python is a serene variation of the yellow morphs, featuring unique buttery yellow and caramel patterns on its back and sides. Its underbelly radiates in white, bearing an exquisite contrast to its more vibrant coloring.
This mutated species contains directly ancestral traits that make it unique among other snakes of its kind! This particular species was first discovered in 2001 due to careful breeding that demonstrated it carries codominant genes directly originating from its wild counterpart.
By breeding two Butters, Super Butters are born. Although many Supers exhibit a pale yellow shade, some even possess the unique Blue-Eyed Lucies hue. However, it can take several generations and good fortune to acquire pure Butters that result in this beautiful color!
Price Range
Typically, the butter ball python retails for around $100.
4. Monsoon
The monsoon ball python gene is a true marvel, producing one of the most eye-catching morphs in existence. Its effects alter the pattern instead of color, first bred by Dave Green Reptiles in 2015 as a result of an unexpected genetic mutation.
To our surprise, the morph was determined to be recessive—allowing it to be propagated from parents that each possesses its gene. Monsoon ball pythons are distinctively named due to the intricate raindrop pattern that covers their entire body.
These speckles or splashes, usually tan in color on a deep brown background, give them an exquisite look, unlike any other python. However, when combined with different color morphs, these snakes become even more fascinating – creating various captivating appearances!
Price Range
Monsoon ball pythons have a price range of a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $4,000.
5. Dreamsicle
In 2007, Ralph Davis Reptiles first brought the exquisite Dreamsicle Ball Python to life. This designer morph is crafted through a laborious process that requires 2-4 generations of careful breeding in order to successfully blend Albino, Lavender, and Piebald recessive genes.
The result of all this effort? An awe-inspiring coloration has made these incredible creatures sought after by breeders around the world! Fascinatingly, these slithering creatures tend to be white or pinkish in the shade, with “pattern clouds” distributed sporadically down their body.
Each blotch is exuberantly orange and distinctly defined, encapsulating small specs of white as an extra captivating detail- something that would not normally emerge on a typical Piebald.
Price Range
An exquisite Dreamsicle ball python can cost a staggering $2,500.
6. Sunset
In 2012, the Michigan-based BHB Reptiles successfully developed the unique Sunset Ball Python gene – a recessive trait that requires the inheritance of two genes to appear. This snake is copper in base color with lighter blotches along their body; additionally, their head tends to be darker than its other features. As it’s an exclusive basic morph not mixed from various mutations, this breed of snake remains one-of-a-kind!
Price Range
While the typical sunset ball python typically costs approximately $4,000, more rare specimens — particularly those with the most vibrant coloration and excellent pedigree — have a price of up to $10,000.
7. Pastel Zebra
The pastel zebra morph, one of the rarest ball python mutations, was initially discovered in 2005 but wasn’t cultivated for successful breeding until 2015 by Roussis Reptiles. Not only can these amazing creatures be combined with other recessive morphs, such as ghost and clow, but they also become more vibrant with each molt.
As time passes, their scale patterns darken, becoming evermore pixilated and highlighting the stunning colors that make this breed so unique!
Price Range
A genuine pastel zebra python morph can cost an astonishing $15,000 or more!
8. Acid
In 2014, Josh Jensen – a renowned breeder – created the remarkable Acid Ball Python by isolating its distinct gene. These captivating Pythons are yellowish with gleaming golden blotches over their dark brown to black base coloration.
The newly emerging acid morph has been found to be dominant over all other morphs, making them highly desirable and easier to breed. Even the powerful ivory genes are no competition when compared to this new mutation, fading away into its shadows.
Price Range
These snakes typically have an asking price of $1,500 to $2,000 and can even cost more if they possess striking yellow coloring instead of the typical brown.
9. Stranger
In 2012, IRES Reptiles, a breeder from the Netherlands, made an unintentional breakthrough when they hatched their first two stranger ball pythons. After rigorous research and experimentation over several years, it was confirmed that the stranger morph was genetic.
In 2016 these remarkable creatures were released to the public; due to their novelty status, this makes it one of today’s rarest finds! Stranger Ball Pythons boast an alluring coloration, with a deep black body and brown upside-down teardrop shapes running along the sides.
Attractive brown blushing lies between each teardrop, while its most remarkable feature is a striking bright tan broken stripe that runs down their spines.
In a universe of breeders, only a select few specialize in the stranger gene – and unfortunately, most are outside of America.
Price Range
Owning a Stranger ball python will set you back at least $7,800—not including shipping costs. They are even more costly if they express other morph genes (polymorphic), up to an astonishing price tag of $20,000!
Final Thoughts
Ball pythons are some of the most diverse and interesting reptiles out there. With a wide variety of morphs that range from hundreds to thousands of dollars, it’s no wonder these amazing creatures have become one of the world’s most coveted pets! From eye-catching blue-eyed leucistic to breathtaking stranger ball python morphs, you’ll be in awe at every glance. Every individual has unique features that make them stand out from their peers. If you’re ready for an extraordinary addition to your collection, look into various Morphs and then find a healthy specimen worthy enough for purchase.
Do you have any of the mentioned ball python morphs? Which rare morph do you love the most? Let us know in the comments below!
