desirable characteristics

[Kittencaboodles]

I just have one snake and don't really see myself becoming a collector of more than that, although I totally understand the appeal of collecting and breeding. I think they are super interesting, and still want to learn more even if I don't ever go that route, but I'm curious as I read about more and more morphs and colors and all of the cool things you can try to breed for... What are considered the desirable or beautiful markings or colorings for ball pythons? I know about dog and cat breed standards, are they like that? Or is it literally just 'this looks cool!'. Are there sought after patterns or more or less symmetry that can be actively bred for or is it just a random pattern totally unique like a finger print?

and if it really is just 'whatever looks coolest', well, what do you think?

[Chkadii]

Whatever looks cool to us! There are some trends though: reduced or very busy/drippy patterns, lack of "noise" in the blocks of color, bright colors/retains colors, high contrast, black backs or unbroken dorsal stripes, high/medium/low white pieds, pure whites/blacks, heavy highlighting/blushing.

[se7en]

this:

[Kittencaboodles]

ohhh thats a beauty

[nightwolfsnow]

this:

Guess that's a pretty good answer. That banana enchi pied has made me stop and think about hunting a banana het pied het axanthic down.

[tbowman]

It's all subjective.