Ball Python (GHI Het Enhancer)

Python regius
Common Names: Ball Python, Royal Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adult ball pythons typically grow 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m), with females often being larger and heavier-bodied than males. Some females may approach 6 feet.

• Appearance:

  • GHI (Gotta Have It) produces a dark, high-contrast appearance, with swirls, chains, and alien-head distortions that give a busy, chaotic pattern.

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

  • Visually, the animal appears as a GHI Ball Python, with the hidden potential to create Enhancer combinations when bred appropriately.

• Distribution: Native to West and Central Africa, where wild-type ball pythons are widespread.

• Habitat: Naturally found in savannahs, scrublands, and farmland edges, most often in rodent burrows.

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

Captive Care

• Enclosure: A 40-gallon breeder (36” × 18” × 18”) or equivalent enclosure is suitable for most adults. Provide two hides (warm and cool side), climbing décor, and a secure water bowl large enough for soaking.

• Temperature & Humidity: Maintain daytime temps of 78–82°F (25–28°C) with a basking area of 88–92°F (31–33°C). Nighttime dips to 72–75°F (22–24°C) are acceptable. Humidity should remain around 50–60%, with a humid hide available during shedding.

• Diet: Juveniles should be fed hopper mice or rat pups every 5–7 days; adults thrive on medium rats every 10–14 days. Prey size should match the girth of the snake.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Ball pythons are widely recognized for being docile, calm, and highly manageable, making them excellent choices for both new and experienced keepers.

• Special Considerations: While morphs affect colour and pattern, husbandry remains the same across all ball pythons.

Genetics Note

• GHI (Co-Dominant): A dark morph with busy, swirled patterns, chain-link alien heads, and high contrast. Super GHI animals are extremely dark, sometimes appearing nearly black.

• Enhancer (Recessive – Het Form): A recessive gene similar to Desert Ghost, known for producing snakes with brighter, cleaner colouration that resists fading. This animal carries one copy of the gene.

The GHI Het Enhancer is both visually striking in its own right and genetically valuable, with strong potential for creating dark, high-contrast Enhancer combos in future breeding projects.