Back in 2007, I can vividly recall browsing through the Kingsnake Ball Python Forum and seeing a ball python combination that simply floored me. This new combo fueled my fire and motivated me to try and reproduce it myself. This amazing combo was first produced and later named, the Desert Spider by pioneering snake breeder, Stan Chiras. The Desert ball used as an ingredient in this combo makes a great first impression. The Desert ball is super crisp and clean, and when bred to other mutations, it steps up the breeding outcome to an astonishing new level; it enhances and cleans up many of them. Make sure to visit to Albey’s Too Cool Reptiles and Pro Exotics for some incredible representations of the Desert ball including some cool designer Desert combos.
Both Stan Chiras and Peter Kahl, unbeknown to them, were working with two separate imported Desert balls lines at the time. It was first assumed that the desert morph was recessive, because they resembled the desert ghost mutation. While comparing breeding efforts, they later proved that the Desert gene was a simple co-dominant mutation. In theory, 50% of a clutch should be Deserts when bred to a normal phase ball python.
In conversation, Stan explained to me that the Desert ball appears to be somewhat of a dwarf sized ball python that will not bulk up in size as some balls do. The male Desert I had purchased from Stan resembled more a corn snake than a ball python at its yearling size. Stan insisted for me to pair him up with some select females this season. “He may be little, but he’ll do the job”, he assured me.
We can only imagine what a super desert would look like if it proves itself to exist this season. In the meantime, we are proud to work with our Chiras line Desert ball. One step closer, in our pursuit of the Desert Spider.