Yes this is a very odd page featuring some even odder ball pythons. All of them are common today but they have some stuff going on that makes me suspect that they are not totally normal....in the wild sense that is. On the right, from top to bottom we have the following:

1. Normal - or is she? I have well over 200 ball pythons in my permanent collection and although I label some as normal, there are those that appear to be somewhat different. This specimen is slightly reduced with very clean sides. She would be an excellent choice to breed to a Pastel Jungle or Mojave. Look at the blushing on her back! Think of that coming out in other morphs.
2. Tiger - Some people call them Reduced or Banded balls. There have been some lines that have been proven genetic. The particular line I am working with has also been proven genetic and I am hoping to produce some for the first time in 2005. Tigers would make great breeding candidates for Albinos, Spiders and any other morph that you wanted to emphasize a reduced pattern look. I really love these guys!
3. Paradox - What the heck is going on here? These balls are hatched out as normals and just after they are a year old they change color after a shed. They look half normal and half Axanthic! The jury is still out on these guys and I can't say whether they are genetic or not. To date all the specimens that exist originated as captive hatched baby's from Africa. Time will tell on these mystery snakes. A Spider is my choice for this female.
4. Black Back - I believe that this is indeed a genetic black back. I have several in my collection but I think the others are just flukes of nature. But this particular one is the real deal. I purchased her from Mark Davis in Georgia. The mother of this female, who also happens to be a 66% possible het Albino, was a black back and consistently threw black backs. So my hopes are very high for this girl. She is obviously being bred to an Albino and maybe I will produce white backs. SWEET!
5. Blushing Brown Back - I know of other similar snakes that have been proven genetic and at this time fall under the dominant category. I have a pair and they are both het ghosts as well. Although I know some have been proven genetic, I don't hold much hope in my particular ones. Too many other projects to work on!

So there you have it. You can call them anything you like...even Odd Balls!