Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi all,

I've been really curious about ball pythons and the morphs. Could someone please explain the genetics and how you get certain morphs, which ones are dominant, recessive, what are your odds of getting certain morphs from a pair, etc. Or at least point me in the right direction about it. I'm not too familiar with genetics so forgive me if i sound stupid. I'm very new at this point in the herp world. I can take care of pretty much any snake or lizard, but i wanna learn more about the genetics and breeding now.

thank you for any help you can provide
Jason

One good way to learn is to just visit as many breeder pages as you can and see what they pair to make what. Morph king also has a "genetics wizard", where you can bunch in the morphs and find out the outcome. Basics:

Recessive genes, like albino, need 2 snakes that both atleast carry the gene (het).

Co-dom, like pastels, only need 1 pastel.

examples: (all %'s are statistically correct)
Pastel x normal = 50% pastels, 50% normals
Pastel x Pastel = (pretty sure on this, correct me if I'm wrong) 25% supers, 50% pastels, 25% normals
Albino x Normal = 100% het albino
het alb. x het alb. = 25% alb, 50% het, 25% norm (66% possible het)

Hope that gets you started in the right direction. any questions, feel free to e-mail me and I'll do what I can
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Cycling: Trio Black Rat Snakes

Together: Poss Het Axanthic male Ball x Normal-no mating witnessed yet.

Chris LaViola
CMLReptiles
Website under construction
CMLReptiles@aol.com

NERD has a very basic introduction to genetics on their page - its very good check it out:

NERD Genetics

Marcus Jayne also has a good easy to understand one, be sure to follow the link on the page to Randys Genetics 101:

MJ Genetics
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Tosha

"Nihil facimus sed id bene facimus"

7.33.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and gang)
1.0.0 Angolan Python (Anakin Skywalker)
0.0.1 Green Tree Python (Verdi - yeah I know but my kids love the book)
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Desert Tortoise (Pope John Paul aka JP )
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.2 frogs rescued from pool skimmer

Thanks all, i looked at those links. Very helpful, i especially liked the NERDS one, explained it pretty easily. I've been curious about morphs lately and am thinking of getting into them. I think i'll get a couple of pastels, they're my favorites. Thank you two for making things a little more clear for me.

Jason

1.0 Savannah Monitor
1.0 Yellow Anaconda
0.1 Rose Hair Tarantula
0.1 Emperor Scorpion
1.1 Ferrets

Good choice you cant go wrong with pastels. I would even go as far as to say they will probably be you gateway snake (like drugs) into an addiction to more morphs. They seem to be like potato chips you cant have just one. Have you given any thoughts as to where you are going to get them?

Thanks, Jay

P.S. they are addictive dont say I didnt warn you. LOL.
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Find a job you love, and you will never work a day in your life -Confucious
3.20 ball pythons
1.1 dumeril boas
1.1 rosey boas
0.0.1 pixie frog
1.1 dogs
0.2 cats
more fish than I can list.