Please explain these morph terms- NOOB!!

[BigIan]

Hello,

Some of these insane ball python morphs showed up on my feed on Facebook and it got me looking around at all of these beautiful morphs. Is there a thread somewhere that explains the meaning of these designer names?

Are they made up by each breeder or are they names that explain it's genes? I'm into saltwater and it's become a trend to give every coral a catchy name in order to sell it at a premium. Is that the case with these snakes? Seems none have a 100% bloodline, they've all been diluted in to cross morphs. Is there anywhere to get, say 100% bumble bee? Then cross it with 100% spider to get a bumble bee spider morph? Then you breed one of the offspring with the pied gene to get a bumble bee spider pied?

I don't know if this is how it works, can someone direct me to a thread that explains this?

Thanks!!

[interloc]

Ya. You are pretty confused on the morph terms.

Here is a great place to start. And it's right on this site.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...Basic-Genetics

Have a read of that, then come back here if you still have questions.

[BigIan]

geez, that's a lot to take in. I'll have to read it a few more times and hopefully I"ll get it... Thanks for the link!!

[Sama]

For a quick reference to many morphs I use this site, or their iPhone app. http://www.worldofballpythons.com/morphs/

As mentioned your pretty confused on your genetics, pretty much there is co-dominate, dominate and recessive. Once you get those down a lot more becomes clear. In you example you have some of all three. A Bumblebee is actually 2 genes combined; the dominate spider and the co-dominate pastel. Pieds are a recessive morph so both parents have to carry the piebald gene to get a visual piebald baby.

Dominate: if bred to a normal you should get about 50% normals and 50% that morph. Examples: spider, pinstripe

Co-Dominate: if bred to a normal you should get about 50% normals and 50% that morph, however if you breed morph to morph you will get 25% normals, 50% that morph and 25% a better version of the morph. Examples; Pastel, Cinnamon.

Recessive: if bred to a normal you will get all normals that carry that morph (het). When breeding a het to a het you get 25% Normals, 50% hets and 25% that morph. However there is no way to tell which is a het and which is a normal. A het to a visual will give you 50% hets and 50% morphs. And Morph to Morph will give you 100% morphs. Examples; albinos, Pieds.

This is very simplified and anyone more advanced, lets not confuse them more about spiders, plenty of time for that later. I hope that helps and I didn't completely confuse you. As for the names, some are descriptive but pretty much the first person to hatch it names it and some are pretty creative. It's a lot of mesmerizing or checking world of ball pythons to remember the difference between a lithium and a queen spin or even a honeybee, bumblebee and killer bee.

[liv]

Just to add to what others have said: the percentages are per egg. You can have an 8 egg clutch from a Pastel X Normal pairing, and still end up with all normals (each egg has a 50/50 chance of being normal)

[BigIan]

ok, I'm understanding. It seems most acquire these different morphs with the intent of breeding. Does anyone collect them just to have a nice collection?

Whether you're breeding or just collecting them, where's a good place to start? I kept a ball python from around 7th to 12th grade before I had to give it to a friend but with all of these beautiful morphs I'm tempted to get back in.

Is it looked down upon to get a couple of these guys only to enjoy as pets?

[The Serpent Merchant]

ok, I'm understanding. It seems most acquire these different morphs with the intent of breeding. Does anyone collect them just to have a nice collection?

Some people do, most people get into breeding simply because they want a snake that is way out of their price range so they try to make one through breeding.

Whether you're breeding or just collecting them, where's a good place to start? I kept a ball python from around 7th to 12th grade before I had to give it to a friend but with all of these beautiful morphs I'm tempted to get back in.

That really depends on what you like and how much you want to spend. All ball pythons require the same care no matter what the "paint job". A $30 normal BP deserves that same level of care that a $40,000 BP does.

Is it looked down upon to get a couple of these guys only to enjoy as pets?

Not at all.

[Sama]

No one will look down on you for getting morphs as pets. But here is a friendly warning; they are super addictive! Many of us started out with "just a pet" and many people move into breeding from there. My sister brought home 3 rescues, and 3 years later I am at about 24 balls with 3 clutches cooking! Be sure and get what really appeals to you, so that 10 years from now your still excited to open the tub and clean snake poo.

[BigIan]

totally, I'm more excited now then back then, I mean, look at all of these beautiful new color ways! I'm down to clean up the occasional mess and can get feeders at a great price here in town.

I'm sure there's been some new findings since I kept snakes so I'll read up a little on care and any new findings.

Can anyone link a thread to general care? BAck then it was pretty easy, I just want to find out how things have changed over the years...

[The Serpent Merchant]

totally, I'm more excited now then back then, I mean, look at all of these beautiful new color ways! I'm down to clean up the occasional mess and can get feeders at a great price here in town.

I'm sure there's been some new findings since I kept snakes so I'll read up a little on care and any new findings.

Can anyone link a thread to general care? BAck then it was pretty easy, I just want to find out how things have changed over the years...

Care: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ius)-Caresheet

Cage Heating: http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...t-Thermometers