About Vanillas

Over time I’ve had quite a few people ask me, “What’s a vanilla?” So, I thought I’d put together a write up with photos.

The Vanilla ball python is a co-dominant morph, like a pastel, with a regular and super form. It was first discovered by Gulf Coast Reptiles when they bred what appeared to be a light colored normal and were astute enough to realize that it was genetic . Unlike the typical normal, vanillas seem to lighten over time. Babies and adults have a pale or blushed head.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...i/IMG_3272.jpg
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...i/IMG_3964.jpg


Unlike some other morphs used as highlighters, the vanilla has a super form that is an awesome morph in and of itself.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...IMG_3772-1.jpg


In combination, the vanilla enhances everything by making it brighter.
Here is a pic of a vanilla pastel I produced.

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...i/IMG_9647.jpg




Gulf Coast Reptiles has very generously provided me with photos of many vanilla combinations that they have produced. I’ll share with you some of my favorites. The following photos and snakes are all courtesy of Gulf Coast Reptiles:


I have to say that I like them all, but my very favorite one has to be the combination of vanilla and fire, aka Vanilla Creme:

http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...nillaCream.jpg

Next is a Super Vanilla Yellowbelly
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...ellowbelly.jpg

Followed by a Super Vanilla Pastave
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...llaPastave.jpg

This is a Vanilla Lesser Pastel
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...sserPastel.jpg

A Vanilla Killerbee
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...erbee09873.jpg

And, I'll finish up with an Adult Super Vanilla Pastel
http://i272.photobucket.com/albums/j...TJohnBerry.jpg

They have made a whole bunch of combos, but you get the idea.

Let me know if you have any other questions, or if I've missed something.

Im actually in the middle of contemplating whether to add a vanilla or not. And this post really helped me alot. I love how vanillas make the head so pale that it almost turn white in supers. Too bad the only available vanilla here in our country is a male. Now the question is do I need a male vanilla in my collection.. :)

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...8022010038.jpg

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...1052010080.jpg

It has been suggested to me that my bright normal could possibly be a vanilla, although the jury is out on that until I can a) breed her and b) cross a suitable son back. The above pictures show her head and a comparison shot of her next to a (smaller) fire. What do you think? By the way she started looking like a nice bright normal but has got lighter with age-possibly a dinker project.
BTW- I'm not saying that I believe that she is a vanilla as I don't think that she is bright enough but there appear to be some similarities.

Great post Maki.

Very informative...thank you very much. :)

very informative. I thoroughly enjoy the hunters guide and this is an excellent addition IMO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk. Xan Powers!

I personally like the super vanilla pastave!

Been thinking of getting a fire or vanilla in the mix of things to brighten up some of my projects. Looks like a nice vanilla will do the trick.. that vanilla killer bee is amazing!

Oh wow that super vanilla is amazing! Great post! :gj:

Great writeup and nice pics, thank you!

You left off one of my favorites though ... The "blizzard ball" (vanilla fire spider). :D

http://www.worldofballpythons.com/mo...pider-vanilla/

I think there's a lot of untapped potential with vanilla/fire combos ...

Great pics, thanks.

So, do vanillas always get lighter with age?

I bought myself a positively glowing vanilla male baby, but as he's gotten older, he's gotten much darker, so much so he looks a lot like a normal now.

I have plans to breed him to a ridiculously light female when he's big enough to see if they make nice bright babies that stay light.

Gale

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wax32

I personally like the super vanilla pastave!

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i also like the super vanilla pastave. i need a super vanilla in my collection.

how can you tell the difference between a vanilla and a fire?

Very nice thread and thanks for sharing!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yardy

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...8022010038.jpg

http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/x...1052010080.jpg

It has been suggested to me that my bright normal could possibly be a vanilla, although the jury is out on that until I can a) breed her and b) cross a suitable son back. The above pictures show her head and a comparison shot of her next to a (smaller) fire. What do you think? By the way she started looking like a nice bright normal but has got lighter with age-possibly a dinker project.
BTW- I'm not saying that I believe that she is a vanilla as I don't think that she is bright enough but there appear to be some similarities.

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Hi Yardy,
She looks like a worthwhile dinker. I'd breed her and see what happens. According to Chris at Gulf Coast Reptiles, the original vanilla was a very light normal with overlapping pale dots on her head, within a group of imports.

Thank you for the nice comments everyone. I'm glad you found this helpful. In my experience, the vanillas all lighten with age. Chris at Gulf Coast Reptiles confirmed this for me today as well. The super vanillas really lighten with age. Mine is a year old and looks neon yellow. I understand that in another year or two I can expect her to be nearly white. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens.

As far as differentiating vanillas from fires, I think it would be very difficult. I understand that some lines of fires have a railroad tracking look to their bellies that may help you to identify the fires from the vanillas. Also, fires have more blushing on their sides, and flames. The differences should be more apparent after a few sheds, but with some individuals it may be very difficult to distinguish.

excellent pics and post, know anyone with vanilla's for sale?

lance