Albino Ball Python

Looks how to spot one

Scales

The albino ball python has the same sturdy, muscular body and small head as a normal ball python, but its scales lack dark pigment. The pattern remains, but the dark areas become bright yellow or orange-gold, and the pale areas become white or cream. The eyes are pink or red, and the tongue is often pink.62

Personality what they are like

Albino ball pythons are naturally laid-back and, with regular gentle handling, become very docile and tolerant of being held. Hatchlings may be a little nervous and curl into a ball, but they rarely bite and soon settle down. They are most active at dawn, dusk and during the night.3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

These snakes are not very active and do not need exercise in the way a dog or cat does. They benefit from a spacious enclosure with branches and hides to explore, but their main activity is moving between warm and cool areas to regulate their body temperature.3

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Albino ball pythons require very little grooming. They shed their skin in one piece every few weeks to months; a humid hide helps ensure a clean shed. Their enclosure should be spot-cleaned daily and fully cleaned every few weeks. Fresh water must be available at all times.3

Home where they are happiest

A minimum 50-gallon (190 litre) enclosure is recommended for an adult, with a temperature gradient from 24 to 29 degrees Celsius (75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) and humidity between 45 and 75 percent. Provide at least two hides, one on the warm side and one on the cool side, plus a water bowl large enough for soaking. Because albino animals can be more sensitive to bright light, avoid harsh, glaring lighting.35

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Feed a frozen-thawed rodent (mouse or rat) of appropriate size once a week for adults, and more frequently for growing juveniles. The prey item should be roughly the same width as the snake's thickest part.34

Company who they like around

Ball pythons are solitary by nature and do not need company. They can be handled regularly for short periods once they are settled in, but they should never be housed with other snakes as this causes stress. There are no legal restrictions on keeping this morph in most countries, but always check local exotic pet laws.3

The story where it all began

The albino ball python is a colour variety of the common ball python, Python regius. It is caused by a recessive genetic mutation that stops the production of melanin, the dark pigment. The first known wild-caught albino was a male imported from Ghana in 1989 by American breeder Bob Clark. After two years of careful work, the first captive-bred albino ball pythons hatched in 1992 and sold for $7,500 each. This morph sparked huge interest in ball python colour mutations and remains one of the most popular and affordable morphs today. The albino mutation is not linked to any health problems, and these snakes live normal, healthy lives with the same care as any ball python.125

Recognised by the official bits

World of Ball Pythons

Recognised as a classic recessive morph, one of the first to become widely available.6

Popularity Very high. One of the most popular and widely kept ball python morphs.36