is size genetic?

[elevatethis]

While the attempt to make a larger size is an interesting science experiment I think the pet related industry would be more interested in a dwarf type ball python as a pet. While breeders would benifit the most from the larger clutches a lot of ball python pet owners would love to have a ball python that stayed between 2 and 2 1/2 feet as pets. This would allow for smaller enclosures and not having to make as many upgrades in size.

Just get a male then...they rarely pass 2000 grams in weight....and a lot of them hover around 1000g regardless of how much you feed them...

[ru55ell14]

I thought all ball pythons were from sub-saharan Africa. Isn't Ghana, Benin, etc. considered sub-sahara?

[elevatethis]

I thought all ball pythons were from sub-saharan Africa. Isn't Ghana, Benin, etc. considered sub-sahara?

Technically yes but Ball pythons are concentrated in a very geographically small area compared to the range of other species...they are referring to the northern-most reaches of their range.

This same northern area that they come from is also a much less populated area...You could argue that genetics might not be the issue, and that hunting, trapping, farming, and habitat infringement are the causes for them staying smaller in the southern areas where people live. This is the case for a lot of other species, so it could explain these northern "giant" versions as well.

[josh@outbackreps]

I thought all ball pythons were from sub-saharan Africa. Isn't Ghana, Benin, etc. considered sub-sahara?

The "sub sahara" balls are from the Northern most Mnt. range of Ghana, it is a locality that is genetically larger than normal balls. Sub sahara is just the name used to describe the locality by the trappers.

[claytonfaulkner]

so where can i get one? i think a snake in the 5-6' range makes the best pet, there easy to handle but not so small there no fun.

[josh@outbackreps]

All the sahara's I have heard of for sale, or has are w.c so they would not be a handling pet as the stress would be to much for them.

If you are looking for something in the 5'-6' size range a dumerils boa is perfect, not to big, easy to handle, slow moving, and are all c.b.

Good luck.

[colemaj]

As a biology/neuro major this question caught my eye. The problem with the idea of things being genetic(especially traits like size) is that people assume genetic determinism. If a snake has big genes, it gets big. Two big snakes make two big snakes right? Size in animals comes from a variety of factors, both nature and nurture. If you fed one twin more often, and kept it in a slightly larger enclosure and compared that to another twin fed slightly less, with a smaller enclosure, less heat, I would assume that even at full growth you'll notice a size difference. The best way to think of it is that the genetics give it a predisposition to size. When you add nurture, you're adding a second variable that is highly intertwined with the first.

I hope this made sense!