Ball Python (Pastel Spotnose Desert Ghost)

Python regius
Common Names: Ball Python, Royal Python
(DG = Desert Ghost)

Species Overview

• Size: Adults generally reach 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m), with females often being larger and bulkier. Some females may grow close to 6 feet.

• Appearance:

  • Pastel (co-dominant): Brightens yellow and gold tones, reduces dark pigmentation, and sharpens contrast. In super form, produces the vivid Super Pastel.

  • Spotnose (co-dominant): Creates a lighter head stamp, busier side pattern, and clean striping; in combination morphs, it enhances pattern complexity and contrast.

  • Desert Ghost (recessive – visual): Expressed here, Desert Ghost produces clean, crisp colouration, with rich contrast that intensifies with age, unlike many morphs that fade over time.

  • Combined, the Pastel Spotnose Desert Ghost is a bright, clean, and high-contrast morph, with a sharp patterned look and excellent long-term colour stability.

• Distribution: Wild-type ball pythons are native to West and Central Africa, occupying grasslands, savannahs, and agricultural edges.

• Habitat: A primarily terrestrial and burrow-dwelling species, commonly using rodent burrows for stable humidity and shelter.

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

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Adults thrive in a 40-gallon breeder (36” × 18” × 18”) or equivalent. Provide hides on both warm and cool ends, climbing décor, and a water dish large enough for soaking.

• Temperature & Humidity: Maintain daytime temps of 78–82°F (25–28°C) with a basking zone of 88–92°F (31–33°C). Allow nighttime drops to 72–75°F (22–24°C). Keep humidity around 50–60%, with slight increases during shedding.

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

• Behaviour in Captivity: Pastel Spotnose Desert Ghosts are docile, hardy, and easy to care for, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced keepers.

• Special Considerations: While morphs change appearance and genetics, husbandry requirements are identical across all ball python morphs.

Genetics Note

• Pastel (Co-Dominant): Enhances brightness and contrast; two copies form the vivid Super Pastel.

• Spotnose (Co-Dominant): Produces unique head markings, busier patterning, and increases contrast in combos.

• Desert Ghost (Recessive – Visual): Produces crisp colouration that sharpens with age, making DG combos highly prized for long-term visual appeal.

The Pastel Spotnose Desert Ghost is a clean, bright morph that combines Pastel’s brightness, Spotnose’s enhanced pattern, and Desert Ghost’s long-term vibrancy, making it highly desirable in both display collections and breeding projects.