Desert Ghost and Desert are NOT the same morph...

[Royal Hijinx]

Just to reiterate, DESERT GHOST and DESERT are NOT the same morph.

I know for the vast majority this is known and obvious, but I am see this confusion a lot, and get asked a ton of questions every time I post a Desert Ghost or het Desert Ghost.

Desert Ghost is a recessive mutation that starts out yellow and black, and as the animal ages, the yellow turns much paler and the black stays black, it also tends to clean up pattern. Incredible morph, and one of the few that gets better with age. For it to be recessive, the females are obviously able to breed. There are ZERO known issues with Desert Ghost, unless you have a problem with awesome.

Desert, on the other hand, is a Dominant or Incomplete Dominant mutation that also makes a bright animal, and cleans up pattern. To date no one has shown proof of a breedable female Desert (hence why we do not know if it is Dom or Inc Dom).

It is unfortunate that the names are so close, but this is where education on what is what can be very important. Desert Ghost is a viable project with a ton of potential (disclaimer: I breed DGs), but Desert has its problems.

Sorry for the rant, but seems a lot of folks have missed the boat on what is what.

[OhhWatALoser]

I think the ghost part also causes confusion. While desert gets plenty of discussion and ghost/hypo is common. The name itself sounds like a combo name between two well known morphs. I think the solution is for you to create tons of those beauties and get them into more collections.

[Royal Hijinx]

I think the ghost part also causes confusion. While desert gets plenty of discussion and ghost/hypo is common. The name itself sounds like a combo name between two well known morphs. I think the solution is for you to create tons of those beauties and get them into more collections.

I am working on it!

I agree about the Ghost part, which is why I believe that Hypo should be used instead of Ghost, reserving the Ghost moniker for a Axanthic Hypo (just like every other snake species out there).

And Desert Ghost is neither Desert nor Hypo... so unfortunate naming.

[OhhWatALoser]

I am working on it!

I agree about the Ghost part, which is why I believe that Hypo should be used instead of Ghost, reserving the Ghost moniker for a Axanthic Hypo (just like every other snake species out there).

And Desert Ghost is neither Desert nor Hypo... so unfortunate naming.

hehe

I agree, makes us ball python keepers look a little silly imo.....so lemme get this straight, a ghost is just a hypo and a "true ghost" is just a ghost? o well

[zues]

This thread needed a pic.

[Pythonfriend]

unfortunately some very good breeders have absolutely no skill when it comes to picking names for new morphs.