Are you interested in different types of ball pythons?
Do you want to learn more about the lesser ball python?
For any serious ball python enthusiast and owner, you’ll soon begin researching and learning about ball python morphs.
These are fun twists on the standard ball python, and one of the most interesting is the lesser morph.
Even after hearing about this type of python, you may wonder:
What is a lesser ball python?
The lesser ball python is a base morph, which is the gateway for many of the rarer and more different morphs from the standard ball python. As a morph in itself, there isn’t too much difference in this morph from the original other than more brown and yellow in the color patterns.
Check out the rest of the post for more details and related information.
Table of Contents
What Is A Lesser Ball Python?
A lesser ball python is what breeders call a base morph or co-dominant morph.
Essentially, this morph type provides the base genes for some other types of morphs into the ball python species.
Morphs are variations on the visual, texture, and size characteristics of a species.
The lesser ball python morph isn’t much different than the typical ball python.
Size-wise, they are the size.
They max out around 6′ feet (1.83 m) long, with the female being usually a little longer and heavier than the male.
The pattern of the lesser python is the same as the typical one.
Its main difference comes in terms of color.
Typical ball pythons are black or dark brown with lighter brown patterns or splotches on the back and sides.
It usually has a cream-colored belly as well.
Lesser ball pythons exchange this for a lighter brown overall with more yellow in the splotches and belly.
What makes the lesser ball python special is its position as a base morph.
The gene which makes this python morph color is a dominant trait that enhances the color and blush of less dominant traits.
In other words, with certain genes, the lesser trait brings out the unique colors more.
The lesser ball python belongs to the same grouping as the blue-eyed leucistic ball python.
The BEL is the homozygous form of the lesser ball python.
Learn about how to make a blue-eyed leucistic ball python.
The lesser morph operates in the same vein as the butter, Mohave, and phantom morphs.
However, it’s still in use with other types of morphs as well.
All serious breeders keep lesser ball pythons around, and these are great for amateur breeders to keep as well.
You may enjoy learning about how to breed ball python morphs.
Are Butter And Lesser Ball Pythons The Same?
No, butter and lesser ball pythons aren’t the same; however, they are related to one another.
As mentioned above, the lesser ball python is a breeding starter for many morphs, including the butter ball python.
The butter ball python is noted for its even lighter brown, yellows, and creams, which are reminiscent of, you guessed it, butter!
To get a butter morph, you need to breed light-colored pythons with lesser or two lessers together.
The chance is largely random.
Their size is the same as is the standard python pattern.
How Big Do Lesser Ball Pythons Get?
Lesser ball pythons have the same growth rate as most ball pythons.
Their size and length depend on age and diet.
Given a typical diet or mice or rats (with rat-fed pythons being a little larger and healthier), this is what to expect for ball python size by age.
Note: These are just guidelines and not hard and fast numbers.
| Age | Male Ball Python Length | Female Ball Python Length | Male Ball Python Weight | Female Ball Python Weight |
| Birth | 10″ – 16″ inches (40.64 cm) | 10″ – 16″ inches (40.64 cm) | 65-100g | 65-100g |
| 1 Year Old | 2′ feet (0.61 meters) | 2′ feet (0.61 meters) | 400-600g | 400-600g |
| 2 Years Old | 2.5′ – 3.5′ feet (1.07 meters) | 2.5′ – 4′ feet (1.22 meters) | 500-800g | 500-1,000g |
| 3 Years Old (adulthood) | 3.5′ – 4.2′ feet (1.28 meters) | 4.2′ – 6′ feet (1.83 meters) | 1,300-1,700g | 1,400-1,900g |
| Beyond | Small gains over the years | Small gains over the years | Small gains over the years | Small gains over the years |
What Is The Rarest Ball Python Morph?
The stranger ball python is the rarest morph.
This was first bred and named in 2012, and these morphs sell for $20,000.
Lesser morphs are among the most common morphs and are usually much more affordable.
The stranger ball python is a new genetic variation which has the following characteristics:
- Deep black color on the body
- Upside-down teardrop pattern
- Brown color in the pattern
- Brown color blushing between the teardrops
- Tan stripe (often broken up) running down the spine of the ball python
How Can I Tell If My Ball Python Is A Morph?
The best way for the average person to tell if their python is a morph is to compare the colors, patterns, texture, and size to the standard ball python.
This may be difficult to do at birth or even up to one year of age.
Many morphs won’t show their colors until almost fully grown.
Another method involves tracking the parents of the ball python.
If both of these are morphs, chances are the new ball python will be of some kind as well.
The most effective way to see is through genetic study and testing.
Most morph types won’t be considered a true morph unless this is confirmed scientifically.
Conclusion
Now you know what a lesser ball python is.
These breeder starter morphs have a co-dominant gene, which enhances the color traits of other morphs.
The lesser morph is a common and popular base for breeding more and more morphs.
Due to its common nature, it’s one of the most available and affordable of morphs.
The lesser is sure to be in any serious breeder’s collection, and amateur breeders would do well to start with one of these as well.
