If one would take a poll of what ball python morph created more buzz and excitement in the hobby, the original albino, would come out on top. Albinism in ball pythons continues to spawn a league of ball python worshipers to this day, including us, here at B.P.A.
Bob Clark imported the first founding albino male in 1989 and eventually hatched the first albinos in his facility from heterozygous (hets) offspring that he produced, in the spring of 1992. Albino ball pythons generated a $7,500 USD price tag back then, however, seventeen years later; they are priced within within reach of most ball python hobbyists’ budgets.
Albinism in the animal kingdom is a condition where all dark pigment or melanin is non-existent. Compare a normal ball python to an albino, one would notice that the black pigment has been replaced with white, and the brownish/gold/olive pigments have been replaced with different shades of yellow tones. Add some ruby red eyes to the mix and you have one hot looking snake.
Albino ball pythons exhibit a wide spectrum of colour variances. At the top end of the spectrum is the high contrast albino. High contrast animals will display an intense saturation of yellow colour, and some appear almost bright orange. At the other end of the spectrum are low contrast specimens, referred to by some as faded albinos, which portray soft yellow tones. There is a shade of albino out there for every fancier.
Albinism is a recessive mutation where as both parents must carry a copy of the gene to create albino offspring. Here are some scenarios on recessive gene inheritance based on a theoretical four egg clutch.
- Het Albino x Normal = 4 normals considered 50% het albino
- Albino x Normal = 4 normals all 100% het albino
- Het albino x het albino = 1 albino, 3 normals considered as 66% possible hets
- Albino x het albino = 2 albinos, 2 100% hets
- Albino x albino = All homozygous albinos
Breeders have been making some exciting crosses with albinos. Some examples of our favourites include, albino spiders, albino pieds, albino clowns and albino cinnamons. Surf online and discover an endless array of albino combos. We also look forward to seeing many new albino combos to be produced in the future.
