Bellies

[BallKingdom]

The most recent trend in ball python "morphs" is all in the bellies. I'm really trying to figure it out myself, light bellies, yellow bellies, clear bellies. So I checked out my own bp's bellies to see what could be so fascinating. The babies had normal bellies, spots and all. I got to Monty and it was outragously white, not a blotch at all. Thats one hell of a clean belly. Cool, but morph? Nope.

Kara, can you explain this whole belly thing?

[Kara]

Some hets for various traits have been known to somewhat characteristically have a clear belly. But it's not a 100% thing...frankly I think the whole thing has gotten blown out of proportion. It certainly doesn't mean that every single ball python with a clear belly is going to produce triple-twin-striped-polka-dot-hubba-bubba-cappafrappalattechino-double-het-for-feet offspring.

Just my $.02

K

[BallKingdom]

I also heard yellow bellies are part of making leucisitics.

And orange ring is an almost definite sign for pied I've heard, as well as a lined belly. But thats only for hets, not some import at a pet shop.

[Wizill]

"triple-twin-striped-polka-dot-hubba-bubba-cappafrappalattechino-double-het-for-feet"
got any of those for sale?

[Kara]

"triple-twin-striped-polka-dot-hubba-bubba-cappafrappalattechino-double-het-for-feet"
got any of those for sale?

Next year. First we have to breed them together and make a SUPER...which will be named the "Subway Club with Bacon." Or something equally inane.

K

[BallKingdom]

Thats about as cool a morph as the blushing ball!

[Ironhead]

Now you guy's got me curious so I went to check out Monty Joe's belly. Now unless I am just totally color blind, (which is a possibility)his belly has a pink tint to it. And, if it is a pink tint, then I think I had better change his name to Monty Joanne.

[BallKingdom]

LOL! No, they get that right before they shed.

[Ironhead]

Then that would explain his interest in his watering hole and the cloudy eye covering. I thought he was getting ready, but knew nothing of the pink tint. I Learn something everyday.

[RPlank]

As you get more familiar with your BP and his habits, you will know as soon as he enters a shed cycle. You will notice a slight dulling of his colors, and the belly will turn pink. Typically, my BP's start soaking at this time, also. A few days later, the eyes will cloud over. After the eyes clear up, it will be a couple more days before he actually sheds. I have noticed that the skin on their neck (do snakes have necks?) gets very loose after the eyes cloud, too. These are all very reliable indicators that your critter is in shed. I have had BP's take anywhere from 4 days to 2 weeks to complete a cycle, but normally it's about 5-8 days.