Is this a misconception? Lesser ball pythons

[mattchibi]

Do lesser ball pythons get lighter with age? Most of the adult lesser's that ive seen in pictures almost always have a very light faded back, whereas most of the hatchling lesser's that ive seen almost always have a pretty dark back. Here's a picture of the lesser girl I am getting in two weeks. What do you guys think? Is this a misconception?

[Daybreaker]

I believe most lessers lighten with age: I can't recall seeing a really dark adult lesser/butter.

[CoolioTiffany]

All hatchlings and young snakes seem to have more vibrant coloration than the adults, as adults usually fade with age. Such as Pastels and Axanthics of lower quality usually fade quickly as they age. Higher quality animals normally keep their colors for much longer. Although I have never seen, for example, pictures of a particular high quality Bee as a hatchling and as a 10+ year adult. But I have definitely noticed a fade in pattern whether it's light or dark mostly with older snakes. My first Ball as a hatchling was bright brown and now over three years later she's probably my darkest Ball so far.

[Mike Cavanaugh]

Yes, their colors tend to get lighter in good examples.

[gardenfiend138]

I bought my lesser because of how dark she was as a hatchling, and I love how dark she is staying around her blushing. She has lightened up a lot (see profile picture), but it makes her truly dark spots pop more. This is her at around 800 grams. Forgive the shaky picture, she wasn't sitting still that night!

[nchapa]

All hatchlings and young snakes seem to have more vibrant coloration than the adults, as adults usually fade with age. Such as Pastels and Axanthics of lower quality usually fade quickly as they age. Higher quality animals normally keep their colors for much longer. Although I have never seen, for example, pictures of a particular high quality Bee as a hatchling and as a 10+ year adult. But I have definitely noticed a fade in pattern whether it's light or dark mostly with older snakes. My first Ball as a hatchling was bright brown and now over three years later she's probably my darkest Ball so far.

this is what I have noticed to.

[purplemuffin]

Not all hatchlings. Fires lighten with age! I think lessers do too, they are a 'faded' bright, but brighter than the dark babies.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

Lessers do seem to be an exception to this rule sometimes. I've produced lessers that start out dark and definitely lighten very noticeably with age. Especially in the yellows and blushing but the browns often don't get much lighter.

It's still best to chose one that is already as light as possible though.

[purplemuffin]

It's still best to chose one that is already as light as possible though.

Agreed!

[snakesRkewl]

My fire started dark, lightened up until he hit adult then darkened back up some.

2200 gram adult butter looking as nice or nicer than she did as a hatchling