ABBREVIATIONS:
CH- Captive hatched
CB- Captive bred
TD- to date
BEL - Blue eyed Leucistic
YB - Yellow belly
0.1- Female
1.0 - Male
0.0.1 - unsexed
CH- Captive hatched
CB- Captive bred
TD- to date
BEL - Blue eyed Leucistic
YB - Yellow belly
0.1- Female
1.0 - Male
0.0.1 - unsexed
Amelanistic:
(Also known as amelanosis) is a pigmentation abnormality characterized by the lack of pigments called melanins, commonly associated with a genetic loss of tyrosinase function. The appearance of an amelanistic animal depends on the remaining non-melanin pigments. The opposite of amelanism is melanism, an overabundance of melanin. The only pigments that mammals produce are melanins. For a mammal to be unable to chemically manufacture melanin renders it completely pigmentless. This condition is more commonly called albinism. Reddish eyes are due to the lack of pigment in the iris pigment epithelium. When the stroma is unpigmented but the iris pigment epithelium is not, mammalian eyes appear blue. Melanin in the pigment epithelium is critical for visual acuity and contrast. Loss of melanogenesis function is linked to the gene that encodes tyrosinase. Certain alleles of this gene, TYR, at the Color locus, cause oculocutaneous albinism type 1 in humans and the familiar red-eyed albino conditions in mice and other mammals.
(Also known as amelanosis) is a pigmentation abnormality characterized by the lack of pigments called melanins, commonly associated with a genetic loss of tyrosinase function. The appearance of an amelanistic animal depends on the remaining non-melanin pigments. The opposite of amelanism is melanism, an overabundance of melanin. The only pigments that mammals produce are melanins. For a mammal to be unable to chemically manufacture melanin renders it completely pigmentless. This condition is more commonly called albinism. Reddish eyes are due to the lack of pigment in the iris pigment epithelium. When the stroma is unpigmented but the iris pigment epithelium is not, mammalian eyes appear blue. Melanin in the pigment epithelium is critical for visual acuity and contrast. Loss of melanogenesis function is linked to the gene that encodes tyrosinase. Certain alleles of this gene, TYR, at the Color locus, cause oculocutaneous albinism type 1 in humans and the familiar red-eyed albino conditions in mice and other mammals.
Blushing:
Term used for a lighter muted color normally found in the pattern or on the head
Term used for a lighter muted color normally found in the pattern or on the head
Base Morph:
Is a term used for naturally occurring mutations. Animals that are found in the wild exhibiting genetic traits (albino, spider, pastel, yellow belly). When these animals are brought into the reptile trade and breeders combine these base morphs together designer morphs are made.
Is a term used for naturally occurring mutations. Animals that are found in the wild exhibiting genetic traits (albino, spider, pastel, yellow belly). When these animals are brought into the reptile trade and breeders combine these base morphs together designer morphs are made.
Clutch:
Since ball pythons are egg layers "clutch" is a term used to describe the group of eggs a female can lay
Since ball pythons are egg layers "clutch" is a term used to describe the group of eggs a female can lay
Co-Dominant:
Co-dominant is a phrase used when referring to a genetic mutation. Co dominant animals have a super form known as a dominant or "super" trait. There is no such thing as a Het for co-dominant morphs (ex there is not a het for pinstripe or het for pastel) it is either a visible morph or a normal. You can however have a co-dominant or dominant morph that is het for a recessive mutation (ex" pinstripe het for albino or bumble bee het for ghost). Co-dominant animals when bred to normals reproduce them self and when bred to their like co-dominant form produce a dominant "super" form (ex pastel to a normal produces pastel and normals, pastel bred to a pastel produces normals, pastels and super pastels.) A simple co-dominant is a single gene co-dom animal (ex pastel, mojave, lesser.) A more complex co-dominant animal would be an animal with more then one co-dominant gene (ex: lesser pastel, or pastel mojave.) Punnet squares are a good tool when dealing with genetic mutation. There are exceptions to every rule and there are a few with co-dominance as well. Although there is no super form TD and the "co-dominant" form does not reproduce only its self the following morphs are listed as dominant (spider, pinstripe and calico). Below are a few examples.
Co-dominant is a phrase used when referring to a genetic mutation. Co dominant animals have a super form known as a dominant or "super" trait. There is no such thing as a Het for co-dominant morphs (ex there is not a het for pinstripe or het for pastel) it is either a visible morph or a normal. You can however have a co-dominant or dominant morph that is het for a recessive mutation (ex" pinstripe het for albino or bumble bee het for ghost). Co-dominant animals when bred to normals reproduce them self and when bred to their like co-dominant form produce a dominant "super" form (ex pastel to a normal produces pastel and normals, pastel bred to a pastel produces normals, pastels and super pastels.) A simple co-dominant is a single gene co-dom animal (ex pastel, mojave, lesser.) A more complex co-dominant animal would be an animal with more then one co-dominant gene (ex: lesser pastel, or pastel mojave.) Punnet squares are a good tool when dealing with genetic mutation. There are exceptions to every rule and there are a few with co-dominance as well. Although there is no super form TD and the "co-dominant" form does not reproduce only its self the following morphs are listed as dominant (spider, pinstripe and calico). Below are a few examples.
In the table to the left let Aa stand for a Co-dominate form (ex pastel, mojave, lesser). This table shows a co-dom being bred to another co-dom (ex mother is a pastel and father is also a pastel) The offspring is shown in the four boxes. Your breeding result over a period of time because no clutch is ever 100% accurate to a punnet square will be as followed
25% of the clutches will be AA= Super pastel (AA is the dominant form) 25% of the clutches being aa= normal or wild form 50% of the clutches being Aa= pastels (co-dominant form) This punnet square can also be used for more complex co-dominant traits by letting Aa show individual co-dom traits (ex mother pastel, father lesser) The percentages will still remain the same for your chances of normals, AA will represent your complex co-dom (pastel lessers) Aa will be 25% co-dom pastels and Aa will be 25% co-dom lessers. |
The table to the left shows a co-dominant animal being bred to a normal "wild type"
Let Aa represent the co-dominant animal (ex pastel), aa will represent the normal "wild" type animal Results will be as followed 50% of the clutches yielding co-dominant animals (pastels) 50% of the clutches yielding normal "wild" type animals |
Cool down:
Term used for the temperature drops breeder use to stimulate the breeding process of ball pythons and other snakes.
Term used for the temperature drops breeder use to stimulate the breeding process of ball pythons and other snakes.
Copulation:
Term used for the "lock up" or breeding of snakes. Snakes intertwine their tails and the male use their hemipenes to fertilize the females eggs. This process can be quick or can last up to 24 hours.
Term used for the "lock up" or breeding of snakes. Snakes intertwine their tails and the male use their hemipenes to fertilize the females eggs. This process can be quick or can last up to 24 hours.
Designer Morphs:
A phrase to explain the genes of an animal. Designer morphs are not typically a mutation occurring in the wild. Designer morphs are combinations of multiple genes a breeder decides to breed together in captivity. (ex bumble bees, lemon blasts ext).
A phrase to explain the genes of an animal. Designer morphs are not typically a mutation occurring in the wild. Designer morphs are combinations of multiple genes a breeder decides to breed together in captivity. (ex bumble bees, lemon blasts ext).
Dominant:
Dominant is a phrase used when reffering to genetic mutations. A dominant or "super" form is the product of two co-dominant animals with the same gene being bred together (pastel X pastel.) A dominant animal when bred to a normal will produce itself in co-dominant form or when bred to another unrelated co-dominant or dominant gene reproduce itself and the newly added gene (ex: super pastel bred to a normal will result in all pastel (co-dom) offspring, a super pastel bred to a lesser will still produce all pastel offspring with some of the hatchlings also being pastel lessers) There are exceptions to every rule and there are a few with co-dominance as well. Although there is no super form TD and the "co-dominant" form does not reproduce only its self the following morphs are listed as dominant (spider, pinstripe and calico). Below are a few examples showed with punnet squares
The punnet square to the left shows a dominant animal being bred to a normal "wild" type animal (ex: super pastel X normal) Let AA be the dominant form and aa be the normal gene 100% of your offspring will be Aa which is the co-dominant form of your super (ex: if a super pastel was bred (AA) all of you babies will be pastels (Aa) |
The table to the left shows a dominant animal being bred to a co-dominant animal (ex Pastel X Super pastel) Super pastel will be shown as AA, pastel will be shown as Aa The results will be as followed 50% of your clutches will yield AA dominant animals (super pastels) 50% of your clutches will yield Aa co-dominant animals (pastels) |
Flames:
A term used for the pattern on the side of the snake, most commonly where the pattern meets the belly scales.
A term used for the pattern on the side of the snake, most commonly where the pattern meets the belly scales.
Folicules:
Term used for the un-developed eggs in a female. Folicules grow until fertilized and the female goes through ovulation. Once the female has ovulated these folicules become eggs.
Term used for the un-developed eggs in a female. Folicules grow until fertilized and the female goes through ovulation. Once the female has ovulated these folicules become eggs.
Genetic:
An animal that carries a genetic gene is an animal that can reproduce itself over and over again. It is built into the animals DNA to carry certain qualities that can breed true over generations. Animals that are genetic are also referred to as "proven" animals
An animal that carries a genetic gene is an animal that can reproduce itself over and over again. It is built into the animals DNA to carry certain qualities that can breed true over generations. Animals that are genetic are also referred to as "proven" animals
Heterozygous:
Also known as and referred to as HET. The only time you can have an animal that is het for a trait is when discussing recessive genes. There are many different types of hets that breeders use, 33% het, 50% het 66% het and 100 % het. 100% hets are the only animals that are guaranteed to produce the gene they carry. Het animals are normal looking in appearance but carry the gene to create a recessive visible mutation when combined with the same recessive trait (ex albino X het albino or albino X albino) There are many co-dominant animals available on the market that carry the gene for a recessive trait (ex pastel het ghost) The only way to have a 100% het animal is if either the mother or father was a visible recessive animal (ex mother albino, father normal all babies will be 100% het). If two animals that are het for the same gene are bred together some of the offspring will carry the heterozygous trait and some will not, others will be showing the recessive trait in visible form, since there is no visible way of telling which normal animals carry the gene they are referred to as 66% poss hets, because they have a 66% chance of carrying the gene for the recessive trait. If a 100% het recessive trait animal is bred to a normal "wild" animal some babies will carry the gene and some will not, since there is no way to tell which animals they are referred to as 50% poss hets because they have a 50% chance of carrying the gene for the recessive trait. If a 50% poss het animal is bred to a normal some of the babies will be heterozygous and some will not, since there is no way of telling they are referred to as 33% poss hets because there is a 33% chance they may carry the gene for the recessive trait. Below are some examples on punnet squares
Also known as and referred to as HET. The only time you can have an animal that is het for a trait is when discussing recessive genes. There are many different types of hets that breeders use, 33% het, 50% het 66% het and 100 % het. 100% hets are the only animals that are guaranteed to produce the gene they carry. Het animals are normal looking in appearance but carry the gene to create a recessive visible mutation when combined with the same recessive trait (ex albino X het albino or albino X albino) There are many co-dominant animals available on the market that carry the gene for a recessive trait (ex pastel het ghost) The only way to have a 100% het animal is if either the mother or father was a visible recessive animal (ex mother albino, father normal all babies will be 100% het). If two animals that are het for the same gene are bred together some of the offspring will carry the heterozygous trait and some will not, others will be showing the recessive trait in visible form, since there is no visible way of telling which normal animals carry the gene they are referred to as 66% poss hets, because they have a 66% chance of carrying the gene for the recessive trait. If a 100% het recessive trait animal is bred to a normal "wild" animal some babies will carry the gene and some will not, since there is no way to tell which animals they are referred to as 50% poss hets because they have a 50% chance of carrying the gene for the recessive trait. If a 50% poss het animal is bred to a normal some of the babies will be heterozygous and some will not, since there is no way of telling they are referred to as 33% poss hets because there is a 33% chance they may carry the gene for the recessive trait. Below are some examples on punnet squares
In the punett square to the left let AA stand for a visible recessive trait (ex Albino) let Aa be a normal looking animal that is 100% het for the recessive trait (in this case albino) Results will be as followed 50% of the clutches will be visible recessive traits (albino) 50% of the clutches will be normal looking but since one parent was a visible gene they will be 100% het for albino |
In the punnet square to the left let Aa be 100%het for a recessive trait (albino) Both parents will be normal in appearance but will be carrying for the albino gene (100% het) 25% of the offspring will be visible recessive (albinos) 25% of the offspring will be normal "wild" animals (they will not carry the gene for albino) 50% of the offspring will be 100% het for the recessive trait ( they will look normal in appearance but they will carry the gene for albino *** In this case because there is no way of telling which animals that look "wild" carry the gene for albino all of the normal appearing offspring are classified as 50% poss hets, because they have a 50% chance of carrying the gene |
Melanins:
Melanins are produced in organelles called melanosomes. The production of melanins is called melanogenesis. Melanosomes are found in specialized pigment cells called melanocytes, but may also be engulfed by other cells, which are then called melanophages. A critical step in the production of melanins is the catalysis of tyrosine by an enzyme called tyrosinase, producing dopaquinone. Dopaquinone may become eumelanin, or phaeomelanin. Eumelanin, meaning true black, is a dense compound that absorbs most wavelengths of light, and appears black or brown as a result. Phaeomelanin, meaning rufous-black, is characterized by the presence of sulfur-containing cysteine, and it appears reddish to yellowish as a result. Melanosomes containing eumelanin are eumelanosomes, while those containing phaeomelanin are phaeomelanosomes. A hormone called Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) commits melanocytes to the production of eumelanin. Another chemical, Agouti signalling peptide, can attach itself to MC1R and interfere with this signalling. In the absence of MC1R, melanocytes produce phaeomelanin. Melanocytes, and the parallel melanophores found in fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, are derived from a strip of tissue in the embryo called the neural crest. Stem cells in the neural crest give rise to the cells of the autonomic nervous system, supportive elements of the skeleton such as chondrocytes, cells of the endocrine system, and melanocytes. This strip of tissue is found along the dorsal midline of the embryo, and multipotent cells migrate down along the sides of the embryo, or through germ layers, to their ultimate destinations. Melanocyte stem cells are called melanoblasts. Conditions associated with abnormalities in the migration of melanoblasts are known collectively as piebaldism. Pigment cells of the iris pigment epithelium have a separate embryological origin.[2] Piebaldism and amelanism are distinct conditions
Melanins are produced in organelles called melanosomes. The production of melanins is called melanogenesis. Melanosomes are found in specialized pigment cells called melanocytes, but may also be engulfed by other cells, which are then called melanophages. A critical step in the production of melanins is the catalysis of tyrosine by an enzyme called tyrosinase, producing dopaquinone. Dopaquinone may become eumelanin, or phaeomelanin. Eumelanin, meaning true black, is a dense compound that absorbs most wavelengths of light, and appears black or brown as a result. Phaeomelanin, meaning rufous-black, is characterized by the presence of sulfur-containing cysteine, and it appears reddish to yellowish as a result. Melanosomes containing eumelanin are eumelanosomes, while those containing phaeomelanin are phaeomelanosomes. A hormone called Melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) commits melanocytes to the production of eumelanin. Another chemical, Agouti signalling peptide, can attach itself to MC1R and interfere with this signalling. In the absence of MC1R, melanocytes produce phaeomelanin. Melanocytes, and the parallel melanophores found in fishes, amphibians, and reptiles, are derived from a strip of tissue in the embryo called the neural crest. Stem cells in the neural crest give rise to the cells of the autonomic nervous system, supportive elements of the skeleton such as chondrocytes, cells of the endocrine system, and melanocytes. This strip of tissue is found along the dorsal midline of the embryo, and multipotent cells migrate down along the sides of the embryo, or through germ layers, to their ultimate destinations. Melanocyte stem cells are called melanoblasts. Conditions associated with abnormalities in the migration of melanoblasts are known collectively as piebaldism. Pigment cells of the iris pigment epithelium have a separate embryological origin.[2] Piebaldism and amelanism are distinct conditions
Ovulation:
Term used for the process a female goes through when converting folicules into eggs. Females tend to swell in their mid section during this time and can become lighter in coloration before they ovulate.
Term used for the process a female goes through when converting folicules into eggs. Females tend to swell in their mid section during this time and can become lighter in coloration before they ovulate.
Proven:
Simply a term used either to state that the animal has bred successfully in the past or a term used to state whether a genetic mutation will constantly re-produce itself. Breeders will breed the same group of animals for many years or breeding season until they have "proven" a gene. A gene is not proven until there are records to support the fact that the gene in question can be reproduced.
Simply a term used either to state that the animal has bred successfully in the past or a term used to state whether a genetic mutation will constantly re-produce itself. Breeders will breed the same group of animals for many years or breeding season until they have "proven" a gene. A gene is not proven until there are records to support the fact that the gene in question can be reproduced.
Recessive:
This term is used when referring to a type of genetic morph. There are three main types of base morphs, recessive, co-dominant, and dominant. Recessive morphs are the only morphs that have a heterozygous gene. Please refer to the above description of heterozygous for a further explanation on how the gene works in the ball python world.
This term is used when referring to a type of genetic morph. There are three main types of base morphs, recessive, co-dominant, and dominant. Recessive morphs are the only morphs that have a heterozygous gene. Please refer to the above description of heterozygous for a further explanation on how the gene works in the ball python world.
Super:
Super is another word used by breeders to describe a dominant gene. Please refer to the top of the page to the definition of Dominant for a further explanation.
Super is another word used by breeders to describe a dominant gene. Please refer to the top of the page to the definition of Dominant for a further explanation.
Wild:
Term used to describe the color and pattern of a normal ball python.
Term used to describe the color and pattern of a normal ball python.
Xanthic:
An animal possessing high amount of yellow. Xanthic animals have no black pigmentation.
An animal possessing high amount of yellow. Xanthic animals have no black pigmentation.