Albino Ball Python: Traits, Cost, Complete Care Guide, & Breeding Insights

Marie curie

Ball Pythons
Albino ball python morph

What makes the Albino Ball Python truly magical?

Could it be the striking contrast of its golden yellow against pure white, or those mesmerizing red eyes that seem almost unreal?

This rare beauty isn’t just about looks—it’s also one of the friendliest snakes you could welcome into your home.

Curious to find out what sets this python apart and why it’s become a favourite among reptile lovers? Let’s discover with us!

Albino Ball Python History & Genetics

The story of the Albino Ball Python is a thrilling journey through the world of reptile breeding and genetics.

This stunning morph first emerged in the late 1990s when a rare genetic mutation caught the attention of snake enthusiasts.

What makes the Albino Ball Python truly fascinating is its unique genetic makeup.

By inheriting two recessive genes that inhibit melanin production, these snakes flaunt their striking pinkish-red eyes and eye-catching colours.

see this red eyed albino ball python

This rarity led to an explosion of interest among breeders eager to explore the endless possibilities of creating new morphs.

As breeders experimented with different combinations, the Albino Ball Python’s genetic lineage expanded, resulting in a variety of mesmerizing morphs like the Albino Banana, Albino Clown and many more, which we describe below.

Each new generation brought forth unique colours and patterns, showcasing the incredible diversity within this captivating species.

Albino Ball Python Traits

Appearance

Body Color: They have a stunning mix of bright yellow and white scales, creating a striking contrast.

The lack of dark pigments makes its colours appear almost glowing, which is why albinos are so visually captivating.

Shape: Their bodies are thick and muscular, just like other ball pythons, giving them a characteristic look of strength without being overly large or intimidating.

albino ball python body shape and size

Eyes: The albino morph’s eyes are typically a vibrant red or pink, giving it a truly unique appearance.

Belly: Their belly is usually a pale cream colour, with a clean and simple look free of dark markings.

Head Shape and Tail: The head is triangular, with a smooth transition from the neck. The tail tapers smoothly, maintaining the same bright colouration as the rest of the body, which adds to its sleek, uniform look.

Speed: Albino Royal Pythons, like others of their species, are generally slow-moving and deliberate. They prefer to slither slowly and will rarely move fast unless they feel threatened.

Albino Ball Python Size & Weight

  • Adult Albino Ball Pythons typically reach between 3 to 5 feet in length. Females tend to be larger than males.
  • Their weight ranges from 1,200 to 2,500 grams for adults, depending on age, gender, and diet.
  • Hatchlings are smaller, starting at around 100 grams and 10 to 17 inches in length.

Behaviour & Temperament

  • They are known for their docile and friendly nature. They’re non-aggressive, making them a favourite among beginner snake keepers.
  • When threatened, they tend to curl up into a ball, hence the name “Ball Python,” rather than attempting to bite.
  • This makes them easy to handle and great for anyone new to snake ownership.

Lifespan

The lifespan of the Albino ball python is about 20 to 30 years. Sometimes, they live longer with proper health care.

Albino Ball Python Cost

  • Hatchlings: Albino hatchlings generally cost between $200 to $300. They are usually less expensive than adults since they require more time and care to grow.
  • Adults: Adult Albino Ball Pythons are priced between $300 to $500, depending on their age, size, and overall health.
  • Julien: If you’re looking for a unique variant or a specific albino morph combination, prices can rise to $700 or more.

Best Place to Buy:

The best places to buy Albino Ball Pythons are reputable breeders, specialized reptile shops, or online marketplaces like MorphMarket.

It’s crucial to choose a seller with good reviews to ensure your snake is healthy and well-cared for.

Albino Ball Python Breeding & Reproduction

Breeding Albino Ball Pythons can be an exciting process, especially when you understand the fascinating genetics behind creating these beautiful snakes.

The albino trait is caused by a recessive gene, meaning it takes two copies of the albino gene to produce an albino snake.

Here’s a closer look at how different combinations affect the offspring:

  • Two Albino Genes: If a snake gets the albino gene from both parents, it will be albino. This is called being “homozygous” for albinism.
  • One Albino Gene: If a snake gets one albino gene and one normal gene, it will look normal but carry the albino gene. This is called being “heterozygous” or “het” for albinism.
breeding albino ball python
  • Albino x Albino: When two albino ball pythons meet, they will produce all albino babies because they all give one albino gene.
  • Albino x Normal: When a normal snake meets with an albino snake, they produce a normal baby snake.
  • Albino x Het Albino: When an albino snake meets with a het albino (a normal-looking snake with one albino gene), they produce about half albino babies and half het albino babies.
  • Het Albino x Het Albino: A meeting between two albinos will produce about one-quarter of albino babies, half of albino babies, and one-quarter of normal babies without the albino gene.

Breeding Albino Ball Pythons is an art that blends patience with a solid grasp of genetics.

Understanding each gene pairing is key to achieving remarkable results—whether you’re aiming for a dazzling clutch of all-albino hatchlings or enriching your genetic pool with het albino offspring.

It’s a thrilling journey into the world of genetics, revealing the stunning variations that make every Ball Python a unique masterpiece!

Stunning Variations of the Albino Ball Python: A Look at Unique Morphs

Albino Ball Pythons are stunning reptiles with a variety of beautiful morphs, each showcasing unique colours and patterns that highlight their genetic diversity.

Let’s explore some of the most captivating Albino Ball Python morphs!

1. Albino Banana Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Banana genes.
  • Description: The Albino Banana morph has vibrant yellow and lavender colours that stand out due to the lack of dark pigments. The Banana gene brings in bright orange spots, creating a warm, colourful appearance, making this morph highly desirable for its vivid contrast.
Albino Banana Ball Python

Also See, Lavender Albino Ball Python Morph

2. Albino Black Pastel Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and co-dominant Black Pastel gene.
  • Description: This morph is characterized by bright yellow markings that contrast with the soft white of the Albino gene. The Black Pastel gene adds a deeper pattern, giving it a distinctive look that is both bold and eye-catching, with a rich mixture of dark and light colours.

3. Albino Caramel Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Caramel Albino genes.
  • Description: The Albino Caramel Ball Python has a stunning golden-yellow color, with hints of caramel. The Caramel Albino gene adds depth to the pattern, giving the snake a smooth, glossy appearance. Its warm tones make this morph visually appealing and unique.

4. Albino Champagne Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and dominant Champagne gene.
  • Description: This morph has a reduced pattern due to the Champagne gene, with soft yellows and pale creams provided by the Albino gene. The combination gives the snake a mostly uniform, light-coloured body, making it look almost ghost-like and elegant.

5. Albino Clown Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Clown genes.
  • Description: The Clown gene creates a reduced yet intricate pattern, which, when paired with the Albino gene, results in bright yellow markings against a white body. The Albino Clown Ball Python morph is known for its striking visual contrast, making it one of the most sought-after combinations.
albino clown ball python

6. Albino Cinnamon Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and co-dominant Cinnamon genes.
  • Description: The Albino Cinnamon morph features warm brown and light yellow colors. The Cinnamon gene adds a touch of warmth, giving the snake a subtle pinkish hue. The pattern is soft, making it less intense but still visually pleasing with its gentle contrast.
Albino cinnamon ball python

7. Albino Enchi Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and co-dominant Enchi gene.
  • Description: The Enchi gene enhances the yellow tones and cleans up the pattern, resulting in a brighter Albino morph. The Albino Enchi Ball Python Morph has vivid yellows, with distinct, well-defined markings, giving it a more vibrant and polished appearance.
Albino Enchi Ball Python

8. Albino Ghost Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Ghost (Hypo) genes.
  • Description: The Ghost gene reduces pigmentation, giving this morph a pastel-like, muted appearance. The Albino Ghost Ball Python features soft yellows and pale whites, making it look more ethereal and gentle compared to the standard Albino morph.

9. Albino Het Pied Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene, heterozygous for the Pied gene.
  • Description: This morph carries the Albino gene, while being a potential Pied carrier. It looks similar to a regular Albino but may produce stunning Albino Pied offspring when bred with another Pied carrier, adding extra value for breeding projects.

10. Albino Leopard Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and co-dominant Leopard gene.
  • Description: This morph is recognized for its striking pattern, with the Leopard gene adding more contrast and making the markings bolder. The bright yellows of the Albino gene and the intricate Leopard pattern create a highly attractive snake.

11. Albino Lesser Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and co-dominant Lesser gene.
  • Description: The Lesser gene enhances the yellows of the Albino gene while creating a cleaner, softer appearance. The result is a bright yellow and cream-colored snake with reduced and smoothed-out patterns, making it visually appealing.

12. Albino Mojave Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and co-dominant Mojave genes.
  • Description: This morph features light yellows and creams, with the Mojave gene adding a unique, wavy pattern. The Albino Mojave has a distinct, almost glowing look, making it popular among breeders and collectors.

13. Albino Pastel Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and co-dominant Pastel genes.
  • Description: The Albino Pastel morph showcases enhanced yellows, thanks to the Pastel gene. The combination makes for a bright and cheerful snake with clean, well-defined patterns, making it stand out even among other Albino morphs.
Albino black pastel ball python

14. Albino Pied Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Pied genes.
  • Description: The Albino Pied is known for its patches of pure white skin mixed with bright yellow markings. The Pied gene adds unique areas of pure white, creating a striking contrast with the Albino’s vivid yellows, making this morph incredibly popular.

15. Albino Pinstripe Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and dominant Pinstripe genes.
  • Description: The Pinstripe gene creates thin, linear markings that pair beautifully with the Albino’s bright yellow colors. The Albino Pinstripe Ball Python has a clean, striped appearance that is both unique and attractive.

16. Albino Scaleless Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Scaleless genes.
  • Description: This morph lacks scales due to the Scaleless gene, giving it a smooth, almost rubbery texture. The Albino Scaleless morph has bright yellow and white skin with a unique texture, making it an unusual and eye-catching variation.

17. Albino Spider Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino gene and co-dominant Spider gene.
  • Description: The Albino Spider morph features the unique web-like pattern of the Spider gene combined with the bright yellow of the Albino gene. The result is an intricate, beautiful snake with a high contrast between bright yellow and pale white.

18. Albino Sunset Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and Sunset genes.
  • Description: This morph combines the bright yellows of Albino with the rich, warm colours of the Sunset gene, resulting in a snake that has a radiant, sun-kissed appearance. The Sunset gene enhances the colours, giving it an intense, glowing look.

19. Albino Yellow Belly Ball Python

  • Genetics: Recessive Albino and co-dominant Yellow Belly genes.
  • Description: The Yellow Belly gene adds subtle yet striking changes to the Albino morph, enhancing the belly pattern and adding brighter hues. This morph has vivid yellows and a clean, crisp pattern, making it stand out among other Albino variations.

20. Het Albino Ball Python

  • Genetics: Heterozygous for the Albino gene.
  • Description: This morph appears visually normal but carries the Albino gene. When paired with another Albino or Het Albino, it can produce Albino offspring, making it an important morph for breeding.

Albino Ball Python Care Sheet

1. Enclosure Setup

  • Tank Size: For hatchlings, a 10-gallon tank is sufficient. As they grow, an adult Albino Ball Python will need at least a 40-gallon tank to move comfortably.
  • Substrate: Use aspen shavings, cypress mulch, or reptile carpet. Aspen is a great choice for burrowing, while reptile carpet is easy to clean and reuse.
  • Hides: Provide two hides—one on the cool side and one on the warm side of the enclosure. This helps the snake regulate its temperature and feel secure.
  • Climbing: Although not avid climbers, providing branches or decor adds enrichment and gives them the option to explore.
  • Humidity Levels: Keep humidity around 50-60%. Use a hygrometer to monitor it, and mist the enclosure lightly if needed to maintain the proper levels.
  • Temperature Gradient: Set up a warm side with temperatures between 88-92°F and a cool side around 75-80°F. A heat mat or ceramic heat emitter can provide consistent warmth.
  • Lighting: They don’t require UVB lighting, but they benefit from a regular day-night light cycle to mimic their natural environment.

2. Feeding

  • Diet: Albino Ball Pythons primarily eat rodents. Offer appropriately sized mice or rats depending on the snake’s size.
  • Feeding Schedule: Feed juveniles once a week, while adults can be fed every 7-10 days. Pregnant (gravid) females may require more frequent feedings.
  • Feeding Tips: Frozen-thawed rodents are safer and more convenient than live prey. Always ensure the prey size is no larger than the thickest part of your snake’s body.

3. Water

  • Water Dish: Provide a shallow water dish large enough for the snake to soak in, as they may use it to help with shedding.
  • Humidity Contribution: The water dish also helps maintain humidity. Place it on the cooler side to reduce evaporation if needed.
  • Changing Frequency: Change the water daily to keep it clean and fresh, and disinfect the dish weekly.

4. Handling

Handling Tips: Handle your Albino Ball Python gently, especially when they’re young. They tend to be calm, but regular, gentle handling helps them become more accustomed to human interaction.

Taming: Start by handling for short periods, gradually increasing the duration. Avoid handling them right after feeding to prevent regurgitation.

5. Shedding

  • Shedding Frequency: They shed every 4-6 weeks, more frequently when they are young and growing.
  • Humidity & Shedding: During shedding periods, higher humidity (60-70%) helps ensure a smooth shed. Provide a damp hide or mist the enclosure slightly to help.
  • Shedding Issues: If your snake has difficulty shedding (e.g., stuck shed), try increasing the humidity or providing a shallow warm water bath to help loosen the skin.

6. Health & Common Issues

  • Signs of a Healthy Snake: Your Albino Ball Python should be active, alert, and have clear eyes and smooth, clean skin.
  • Common Health Problems: Watch for signs of respiratory infections (open-mouth breathing, wheezing) or skin conditions like mites and scale rot. Regular check-ups with a reptile vet are recommended.

7. Cleaning & Maintenance

  • Spot Cleaning: Remove waste and uneaten food daily to keep the enclosure clean.
  • Full Cleaning: Every 4-6 weeks, clean and disinfect the entire enclosure, including hides and decor, to maintain hygiene.
  • Replacing Substrate: Change the substrate as needed, typically every 1-2 months or when it becomes soiled.

Conclusion

In the vibrant world of Albino Ball Pythons, each morph tells a unique story of beauty and genetic marvel.

Whether you’re an experienced breeder or a curious enthusiast, these enchanting snakes will undoubtedly capture your heart and ignite your passion for the art of herpetology!