Ball Python morph
Ball Python (Python regius)
Heterozygous Chocolate allele at Spider complex locus. Warm brown coloration with subtle pattern changes.
Large multi-allele complex containing pattern-altering alleles. Spider: dramatic thin-banded pattern with reduced dark pigment; dominant presentation (super is lethal). Champagne: lavender/peach coloration with reduced pattern; super is lethal. Blackhead: very dark head and anterior with reduced pattern; super form viable. HGW (Hidden Gene Woma): subtle pattern changes; super form viable with enhanced expression. Woma: banded pattern similar to a woma python; super form viable. Spotnose: distinctive spot on nose with pattern/color modification. Chocolate: warm brown coloration with subtle pattern changes. Wookie: pattern reduction. Cypress: subtle pattern modifier. Bongo: banded pattern. CRITICAL: Several alleles in this complex are associated with neurological wobble syndrome (vestibular disorder). Spider and Champagne always exhibit wobble. HGW and Woma may show wobble. Super Spider and Super Champagne are embryonic lethal. Spider x Champagne cross-allele pairing is also lethal.
How to identify it: Spider: thin irregular bands, busy pattern, distinct from normal blotches. Champagne: lavender/peach wash, reduced/faded pattern. Blackhead: very dark head. Spotnose: distinctive nose spot. All Spider Complex members may show wobble (head tremors, corkscrewing).
Chocolate follows a incomplete dominant inheritance pattern, carried on the Spider Complex allele (locus Spider).
Multiple alleles in this complex are homozygous lethal. Super Spider and Super Champagne are embryonic lethal (dead in egg). Cross-allele combinations within the complex (e.g., Spider x Champagne) are also lethal. Additionally, ALL heterozygous carriers of Spider, Champagne, and some other alleles in this complex exhibit neurological wobble syndrome (vestibular disorder) ranging from mild head wobble to severe corkscrewing and inability to strike accurately. Wobble severity varies by individual and is exacerbated by stress. The wobble is caused by malformations of the semicircular canals and sacculus in the inner ear. The IHS banned sale of Spider morphs at shows in 2018 due to welfare concerns.
Bee
Pastel + Spider combination. Also known as Bumble Bee.
Killer Bee
Super Pastel + Spider combination.
Spinner
Spider + Pinstripe combination.
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