Ghost (Hypo) Ball Python - Green or Orange?

[Jason Kelsey]

Had a question I am hoping someone might have some insight on. I know it will be difficult (if not impossible) with pictures, and I know proving out is the only way to know for sure, but maybe your experience can help me decide.

I picked up a Hypo in a multi-snake trade... He was kid of a throw in to sweeten the deal, so I was not too worried about it; however, I don't want to waste my time breeding him if he is truly a Green Ghost. The owner told me he was a Green Ghost (not sure his expertise level); however, when comparing pics on World of Ball Pythons and other sites, he looks to be an Orange Ghost to me... Take a look at the pics, and let me know what you think. He is a great looking snake, so I really don't want to get rid of him, but I have enough pets right now, and need breeders.





I have no other hypos at the moment, so I am totally unsure as to what to do with him.

Here is the link to the WOBP Site with the pics for the orange ghost: http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/orange-ghost/

The second picture is exactly what he looks like. The Green Ghost looks a lot different to me.

Here is the link to the Green Ghost Pics at WOBP : http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/green-ghost/

[Jason Kelsey]

Sorry.. First post, so figuring out how to link to my images... Here is another try:

[OhhWatALoser]

Heres the thing, there is not any good information on even if green ghost is compatible or not with standard hypo (which includes orange, yellow, peach, grey, butterscotch, and anyone else who things they need to throw another color in there) Hypos are like every other morph, they vary in color.

We are not going to be able to tell you what line it is from pictures, nor can we tell you if it compatible or not. I do know its very rare to find hypo lines that are not compatible with standard hypo, I would doubt you got that lucky, but hey anything possible. if you got lucky enough to make some double hets, some members on here would be very interested in purchasing your babies, hardly a waste of time. I wouldn't count on it though, just plan on him being a normal hypo. Good luck.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thanks OhhWatALoser - You are right, as all of the information on compatibility that I have found online so far seems to be fairly old and inconclusive. Maybe I will pick up another hypo (standard) and throw them together and see what happens.

[RandyRemington]

I know of at least one "green" hypo line that for sure is compatible with the main hypo group.

Almost all of TSK's hypo mojave and just plain hypo's trace back to this female now listed as a green hypo:

http://thesnakekeeper.com/index.php?...po01f&page=lin

I think she is the import they used to call "extreme hypo". I used to have a male pastel het hypo who got his hypo gene from a TSK hypo mojave and I produced a really nice looking hypo in 2009 crossing him with a possible het descended from what I think Brian Sharp used to call yellow hypo. I've since produced other hypos from that het girl bred to a cinnamon het for an unspecified hypo line. So if your green ghost traces back to TSK (seems to be very common in CA and the west) I would expect it to be compatible with the larger ghost group.

[Jason Kelsey]

Thanks RandyRemmington - good info and a smile on my face. I was so worried that he would 100% be incompatible with anything other than Green Ghost; however, you have brought some hope. You guys are getting me excited to experiment with what I was thinking about selling cheap and clearing some rack space. TSK line would make sense (being that we are located in Vegas), although I don't think the guy I got him from has records on him . He does look a lot like the one in the link you sent. May not be a genetic powerhouse, but I think I might just hang on to him and see how/if he produces with another hypo (yet to be found).

[loonunit]

He does "look" like he'd be compatible with orange ghost. But then, that green ghost in the WoBP sure looks like a hatchling orange ghost to me... I've poked around looking for green ghost info, too, and I agree it's pretty patchy.

If he doesn't prove to be compatible, well, at least you get to sell the hets as Kelsey-line ghosts.

[Serpent_Nirvana]

Interesting. I just got a very pale, blue-green looking hypo from a buddy. He was telling me that he once bred a "green ghost" to an "orange ghost" and produced only double hets. He said that the hypo he sold to me didn't look like that green ghost to him, though.

... It would be nice to try and sort out all these bloodlines and their compatibilities -- as with the axanthics -- though I know I'm not gonna be the one to volunteer ... At least not until I've got a whole big stable of axanthics and hypos to mess around with independent of my other projects