Reptile & Amphibian Forums

How can one tell the difference between a Ball python and a Burmese python? Expecially one that is about 5' and albino?

Thank you for your help.
-----
Kelly Wood

1.1 Cherry Head Redfoots
0.1.1 Brazillian Redfoots
1.1 Leopard tortoises
1.3 bloodred Bearded Dragons
0.1 collared lizard
0.3 Dogs
1.3 Parakeets

Balls generally have a disproportionaly small head compared to a stout body. You can also tell by it's defensive tendency to curl up into a tight ball, burying it's head inside the ball.

Post a photo, and I'm sure somebody will be able to make a positive identification...

//Todd

1.0 Aussie Olive
0.1 Southern Pine

Also,
If you look at the heads of both animals from the top down, the burmese head looks more streamlined, where as the ball head's jaw line is more pronounced...

//Todd

Thank you Todd,

The snake is not mine, but I am thinking about buying it and want to make sure it is what they say it is. When I get photos, I will post them.

Thanks again,
-----
Kelly Wood

1.1 Cherry Head Redfoots
0.1.1 Brazillian Redfoots
1.1 Leopard tortoises
1.3 bloodred Bearded Dragons
0.1 collared lizard
0.3 Dogs
1.3 Parakeets

One way is the price. An albino ball python costs about 10 times the amount an albino burmese python goes for.

Odds are it's a burmese, which are quite common as albinos. Also, I can't remember the last time I saw a 5' ball python.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

Look at the head of the snake. A ball python has a heat pit (hole) on each of the first four upper labial (lip) scales on each side of the head, plus two heat pits on the rostral (snout) scale in the front, for a total of ten.

On a Burmese python, there are heat pits on the scale at the tip of the snout and on the first two upper lip scales on each side of the head.

In many parts of the country, the going price for a healthy adult albino Burmese python is.............zero dollars and zero cents if someone can be found who is willing to take it, whereas an albino ball python hatchling should be at least $2000.

-Joan