A morph is a reference to specific genetic mutations in ball pythons. These mutations can be related to the color of the snake, the visible pattern or lack of a pattern, eye color, head stamp (color configuration on the top of the head), colors and patterns on the underside (belly) of the snake and more. Some morphs, in fact, many morphs, have combinations of mutations and many of them can be similar or the same as other morphs. In fact, there are some morphs that are considered to be the same morph but because they were discovered at similar times by two different people, they have two names (such as the “calico” morph and the “sugar” morph or the “lesser” morph and the “butter” morph and even the "banana" and "coral glow" morphs).
There are typically four types of morphs. Those morphs are Dominant, Incomplete-Dominant (or Co-Dominant), Recessive and Polygenetic. Some traits, such as many of the striped appearances, are polygenetic, meaning that they are controlled by several different genes. These traits are more difficult to reproduce in a predictable fashion, so they’re rarely considered “morphs” by enthusiasts. For that reason, this article will focus on the other three.
Dominant morphs are displayed whenever the morph is present in at least one parent. The spider morph is an example of a dominant trait in ball pythons. Any Ball Python that gets a single copy of the spider trait will look like a spider morph. This can be important in determining what type of snake you are interested in owning as well as the importance of what kind of snake you are breeding (if that is your purpose). The “Spider” morph, for example, has a reputation for having a head wobble. It’s a central nervous system disorder that causes their head to tremble. Since the Spider morph is a Dominant morph, this means that half of the snake's that is parented by this snake will have this gene and have the chance of a head wobble. Another example of a Dominant morph is the Pinstripe. Pinstripe morphs have very reduced dark pattern elements, which creates the overall impression of a yellow or straw-colored snake, with thin, dark lines and markings. The major difference between a dominate and incomplete-dominant is the fact that dominant morphs lack the ability to produce a "super" or homozygous morph.
Incomplete-Dominant or Co-Dominant morphs are displayed when a single copy (one parent) of the gene is present. Technically, the terms incomplete dominant and Co-Dominant refer to different types of inheritance, but they are often used interchangeably. This sounds just like the dominant morph doesn’t it? Well the difference in Co-Dominant morphs is that when two copies of the gene are present (both parents have it), the Ball Python will exhibit a “super” form of the gene which is generally (though not always) a more extreme version of the typical form. It is important to note, that while some “super” versions of Co-Dom genes are extreme versions of their standard versions, some “supers” are completely different. For example, the “orange dream” morph causes the snakes yellows to look orange and the “super” version of the “orange dream” makes these oranges very brilliant and bright. However, a Co-Dominant morph such as “lesser” or “butter” removes the “eyes” or “key holes” from the “alien head pattern found on the side of a normal Ball Python but the “super” version of “lesser” and “butter” will create an all white snake with blue eyes (known as a leucistic). There is even a Co-Dominant morph known as “champagne” which has a super form that is considered to be lethal to the offspring.
Recessive morphs are only visible when both parents have the gene. One of the more famous morphs “pied” or “piebald” is a Recessive morph. The “piebald” morph creates white sections along the body of the snake, breaking up what would otherwise be the normal ball python pattern. If both parents have this gene, then the offspring will display the morph. If only one parent has it, then it will not show on the offspring, creating what is known as a “HET” (or heterozygous). Het is a term used to signify that the snake has one copy of the recessive gene and because it is not visible, we cannot be sure until it is “proved out” by breeding with another “visual piebald” or Het Pied and waiting to see if the babies are visuals. If one parent is a visual recessive, then all of the babies will carry 1 copy of the recessive gene making every baby in that clutch 100% Het. Recessive morphs are typically more expensive because they are harder to reproduce and can sometimes require multiple generations to recreate or to prove out.
What types of morphs are your favorites? Let me know in the comments!
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