Ball Python (Yellowbelly Clown Het Hypo)

Python regius
Common Names: Ball Python, Royal Python

Species Overview

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

• Appearance:

  • Yellowbelly (co-dominant – visual): A subtle but powerful morph, the Yellowbelly often resembles a normal ball python at first glance.

  • Key indicators include belly checkering, flames along the sides, increased contrast, and warmer golden tones.

  • Though sometimes understated on its own, Yellowbelly is highly influential in combos, often brightening colours and enhancing contrast.

• Distribution: Wild-type ball pythons are native to West and Central Africa, living in savannahs, grasslands, and lightly wooded habitats.

• Habitat: A primarily terrestrial, burrow-dwelling species, frequently found in rodent tunnels that provide shelter, humidity, and temperature stability.

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

Captive Care

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

• Temperature & Humidity: Maintain daytime temperatures of 78–82°F (25–28°C) with a basking area at 88–92°F (31–33°C). Nighttime drops to 72–75°F (22–24°C) are acceptable. 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 thrive on medium rats every 10–14 days. Match prey size to the snake’s girth.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Yellowbellies are docile, hardy, and calm, like most ball pythons, making them excellent captives for both beginners and experienced keepers.

• Special Considerations: While morphs alter pattern and colour, husbandry requirements remain identical across all ball python morphs.

Genetics Note

• Yellowbelly (Co-Dominant – Visual): In its single-gene form, it produces subtle belly checkering, brighter golden tones, and side flames.

• Super Yellowbelly (Homozygous): When two copies are inherited, the result is the Ivory Ball Python, an all-white morph with faint yellow striping and blue eyes.

• Combo Influence: Yellowbelly is a key ingredient in Freeway (Asphalt × YB) and Highway (Gravel × YB) morphs, as well as many other high-brightness projects.

The Yellowbelly Ball Python is one of the most influential co-dominant morphs in the hobby, prized for its ability to brighten and transform combos while being the foundation for several highly sought-after designer morphs.