Ball Python (Freeway Het Hypo)

Python regius
Common Names: Ball Python, Royal Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adults generally reach 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m), with females often being larger and heavier-bodied than males. Some females may occasionally grow to 6 feet.

• Appearance:

  • Freeway (Asphalt × Yellowbelly) produces bold dorsal striping, broken patterns, and flaring orange/yellow “flames” up the sides, resulting in one of the most vibrant co-dominant combos.

  • This snake is heterozygous (Het) for Hypo (Ghost), meaning it carries one copy of the recessive Hypo gene but does not visually express it.

  • Outwardly, the snake appears as a bright, patterned Freeway, with the added potential to produce Hypo/Freeway combos in breeding.

• Distribution: Wild-type ball pythons are native to West and Central Africa, where they inhabit savannahs, scrublands, and farmlands.

• Habitat: Terrestrial by nature, they are burrow-dwellers, frequently occupying rodent tunnels for shelter.

• Behaviour: A nocturnal ambush predator, primarily hunting small mammals and birds.

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Most adults thrive in a 40-gallon breeder (36” × 18” × 18”) or similar setup. Provide two hides (warm and cool), climbing décor, and a water dish large enough for soaking.

• Temperature & Humidity: Keep a gradient of 78–82°F (25–28°C) with a basking spot of 88–92°F (31–33°C). Nighttime drops to 72–75°F (22–24°C) are acceptable. Maintain humidity at 50–60%, with a humid hide available during shedding.

• Diet: Juveniles typically eat hopper mice or rat pups every 5–7 days; adults thrive on medium rats every 10–14 days. Match prey size to the snake’s girth.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Ball pythons are renowned for being docile, calm, and tolerant of handling, making them excellent for keepers of all experience levels.

• Special Considerations: Though morphs affect appearance and genetics, husbandry remains identical to wild-type ball pythons.

Genetics Note

• Freeway (Asphalt × Yellowbelly, Co-Dominant Complex): A visual form created by pairing Asphalt and Yellowbelly. Produces striped, flame-marked, high-contrast snakes.

• Hypo/Ghost (Recessive – Het Form): When expressed visually, Hypo lightens the overall colour by reducing dark pigment, creating a “washed out” or ghostly appearance. This snake carries one copy of the gene.

• Freeway Het Hypo: The animal looks like a standard Freeway but carries the genetic potential to produce Hypo Freeways or Hypo combos when paired with the right partner.

The Freeway Het Hypo is prized for its visual appeal and hidden genetic potential, particularly in projects aiming for Hypo-enhanced Freeway or triple-combo designs.