The black pastel ball python is a beautiful snake that has made its way into the hearts of many reptile enthusiasts. It’s black coloration and white speckles make it one of the most sought-after snakes in captivity.
The Black Pastel Ball Python Morph is less popular than other Ball Python morphs. Despite this, it is an essential gene for many breeders, having been discovered in 2002 by Gulf Coast Reptiles. It’s a co-dominant change. This is comparable to a dominant change in that if two traits are present, there is also a Super Black Pastel.
The most important distinction between the two is that a solid black nose occurs naturally in a Black Pastel. In comparison, a solid white nose usually isn’t obtained by any other color, including white. These comparisons don’t take into account the genetics of the particular pigmentation within each hue, so let’s look at it from another angle.
In this article, we are going to discuss everything you need to know about the Black Pastell Ball Python, so stick around…
Contents
Black Python Ball Python Morph History
The first Black Pastel was developed by Gulf Coast Reptiles in Alabama. The Cinnamon Ball Python, which is very similar to the Black Pastel, was created at around the same time.
The first Cinnamon was created by Mr. Gregory Graziani in 2002. What makes this more notable is that these two very similar forms were initially developed less than an hour’s drive from each other.
Because of this, many people were skeptical about whether or not they were distinct morphs. It wasn’t until various combinations were made that you could truly notice the differences between these morphs.
Black Python Ball Python Morph Genetics
The Black Pastel Ball Python is a co-dominant morph. You only require one Black Pastel to produce Black Pastel offspring, much like a dominant morph. However, mating two Black Pastels results in Super Black Pastels.
A Super Black Pastel is born when two mutated alleles are combined in the same gene.
A Black Pastel, on the other hand, will contain a single defective allele in their DNA sequence. The appearance of these two snakes is easily distinguishable because of this difference.
In this post, we won’t go too deeply into how genetics function in snakes. We’ve gone through it in length on our fire ball python morph article if you’re unfamiliar with how genetic changes are transmitted.
The idea of how parents pass on their traits is the same for co-dominant variants, however the look of the progeny varies. while the article discusses recessive Ball Pythons, the notion of how parents transmit their characteristics is similar to that observed in co-dominant morphs.
Here is a basic breakdown of a DNA strand:
Locus – On a DNA strand, this is the position of a gene/allele.
Allele – Alleles are the units of inheritance for genes. As a result, an allele is a single gene at a particular location on a chromosome.
A DNA strand of two snakes is illustrated above. Normal and Pied Ball Python, for example. The Pied Gene is the first locus on this DNA strand, as we’ve said before. The first snake has two normal genes (not Pied) while the second snake has two Pied genes (visible Pied), as you can see.
When these snakes breed, they share one of their alleles from each locus with their offspring. This implies that the youngsters will have one of their mother’s “Pied” genes and one of their father’s.
We’ll use this idea to show how various pairings make Black Pastels.
Black Pastel and Normal Ball Python
The simplest approach to create a Black Pastel Ball Python is to combine a Black Pastel with a regular ball python. The resulting offspring will include 50 percent black pastels and 50 percent normal ball pythons. There will be no super black pastels as a result of this mating.
You see that there are four potential outcomes. Each allele is named and color-coded, as shown below. Because each parent can only pass one gene, the possible outcomes are 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 2 to 3, and 2 to 4. Alleles 1 and 2 cannot both be passed on because doing so would result in a
The four potential outcomes were BN, NN, NN, and BN. One of the alleles was black in the “Black Pastel” designation. Both genes were normal in the NN conclusion.
A Black Pastel Ball Python is a co-dominant gene, which means that only one of the alleles need to possess the trait for the progeny to be a Black Pastel. This implies that the offspring will be half Black Pastels and half Normal Ball Pythons.
Black Pastel and Black Pastel
Another way to breed a Black Pastel Ball Python is to combine two Black Pastels. The offspring will be 50% Black Pastels and 25% Normal Ball Pythons, with the remaining 25% being Super Black Pastels.
In this scenario, the four potential outcomes were Bb, Bn, Bn, and Nn. When both parents pass on the Black Pastel gene, the baby will have a Super Black Pastel coloration. This combination is co-dominant, therefore it will produce a Super Black Pastel in this case.
This means that the resulting offspring will be 25% Normal, 25% Super Black Pastel, and 50% Black Pastel.
Super Black Pastel and Normal Ball Python
If you cross a Super Black Pastel Python with a Regular Ball Python, all of the children will be black pastels. This is due to one parent passing on the Black Pastel gene and the other parent passing on the Normal gene. As a result, all of the kids will be BN, which means they’ll have one Black Pastel gene and one Normal gene.
In this scenario, the black pastel is a homozygous black pastel. You can see that it has two black allele for each locus. The regular ball python on the other hand is heterozygous, which means it only possesses one black allele at each locus.
Super Black Pastel x Super Black Pastel Ball Python
All of the children produced from a Super Black Pastel and a Super Black Pastel will be Super Black Pastels. This is because both parents will always pass on the Black Pastel gene. As a consequence, all of the offspring will be BB, i.e., both alleles will be Black Pastel.
Do Black Pastel Pythons make good pets?
The docile disposition of the Black Pastel Ball Python is its most appealing feature. It’s a great pet for a first-time snake owner due to its calm demeanor. Another merit is that it is small. Many reptiles grow to be considerable in size, making housing and feeding them difficult. There are also a few factors we’ll discuss later that might make a black pastel python the right choice for you.
A Guide to Caring for Black Pastell Ball Pythons
The problem with reptiles is reproducing their natural habitat. Maintaining the required temperature and humidity levels is a must. Because cold-blooded creatures, reptiles’ internal temperatures are influenced by the ambient temperature. These animals are sensitive to drafts and abrupt changes in temperature.
Tank
The finest housing for your Black Pastel Ball Python is an aquarium. It ensures that the temperatures are kept within acceptable limits. A minimum tank size of 40 gallons is required for a full-grown snake. That will provide enough room to maneuver and provide a foundation for decorations like driftwood and a hiding place.
You should expect to clean your tank completely once a week. This will help to maintain the status quo and prevent fungal and bacterial problems. Unfortunately, the environment that is most suitable for pythons is also hospitable to disease-causing germs. On the glass and decor in the empty tank, we recommend utilizing a mild bleach solution.
Lighting
Your Black Pastel Ball Python will thrive if it receives between 8 and 12 hours of direct sunshine a day. This may affect the location of your pet’s living quarters. Using a timer or a smart plug to make sure your snake gets enough light is a convenient method.
However, do not leave it on constantly. This creates an unnatural atmosphere that can suppress the appetite and cause health problems.
Temperature and Humidity
The optimum temperature for a ball python is between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It should never fall below 75 degrees Fahrenheit. We also advise you to provide your pet with a basking area where temperatures may reach up to 90 degrees or higher. An infrared ceramic light fixture will help keep the temperature consistent during the night hours without causing any additional lighting distraction.
Make sure to include a thermometer in the tank to keep track of the temperature. To save space, you’ll find combination products that display humidity levels as well as combo goods that show both temperature and humidity levels. These animals require enough moisture for good health. It will also assist your pet during molt.
Substrate
Coconut fiber is an excellent substrate that is both cost-effective and natural. It may also be recycled or utilized to grow other plants in your garden. Other good choices include dampened sphagnum moss or aspen chips, which are just as successful. To allow your snake plenty of room to dig down into the substrate, provide at least a 12-inch deep bedding.
Food and Water
Your Black Pastel Ball Python should have a diet that consists of mice or rats. Be sure to feed your snake only fresh food, as frozen prey can cause health problems like gut impaction.
This doesn’t mean to give them live prey, you should never do that, and you can learn why you should never feed your pet snake wild mice here.
Thawed rodents must be warmed prior to feeding so that the heat is sensed by the snake. Be sure to wash your hands before and after feeding your black pastel ball python.
When it comes time for shedding, you may find that the skin of this snake can be difficult to remove. This is where water bathing or misting come in handy. If possible, provide a humidity level of 50% while your pet goes through this process. You can mist the snake with a water bottle or place it in a container of shallow water.
Health Issues To Keep an eye on
The skin of a healthy python is bright, blemish-free, and attractive. Its eyes are likewise clear. Shedding is the only exception we’ll address here.
Here are some of the common health issues to watch out for:
- Skin irritations
- Difficulty breathing
- Poor Appetite
- Difficulties when shedding
You should also keep an eye on their staring as stargazing can be a real threat to a snake’s life, and you can learn about it in my articles on why do snakes stare at you.
Finally, we come to the question of cost;
How much does it cost to get a Black Pastel Ball Python?
The availability of this species’ variant might differ. The parent species is a well-known one, despite the many forms. You may anticipate to pay at least $200 or more likely several hundred dollars for a healthy snake. Some specialized breeders who have particularly lovely pythons may charge four figures for their snakes.
Then there are the expenses of setting up your pet’s living quarters. We recommend choosing a 40-gallon tank to save money by avoiding the expense of upgrading later. Pythons grow rapidly and reach adult size in only a few years. You’ll also need lighting and heating, as previously said.
You’ll need to feed and maintain your python, which are both inexpensive in comparison to the initial expenditures. There’s also the cost of replacing your snake’s bulbs now and again. To keep your python healthy, you may anticipate to spend between $300 and $600 each year.
Helpful Resources
Secrets of Snakes: The Science Beyond the Myths by David A. Steen
If you like this article, please share it!
