Pied ball pythons are one of the most sought-after morphs in the reptile community.
Their eye-catching black and white blotchy pattern distinguishes them from normal ball pythons.
But what exactly are pied ball pythons? How rare and expensive are they? What special care do they need?
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about these unique snakes.
Whether you’re just learning about pied morphs or you’re a seasoned snake owner looking to add one to your collection, you’ll find key information about their rarity, cost, dietary needs, genetics, and more.
Let’s dive in and explore the wonderful world of pied ball pythons!
What Is A Pied Snake?
A pied snake is a ball python morph that has a distinctive piebald or ‘pied’ pattern on its scales.
These unique markings consist of irregular white patches on the snake’s otherwise dark body.
Unlike a normal ball python which has rich brown or black scales, a pied python’s white patches really make it stand out!
The piebald phenotype is created by a recessive genetic mutation that prevents melanin from being deposited in certain patches of scales.
So these scales appear white or pinkish rather than black or brown. The result is a stark, high-contrast look with bright white splotches on the snake’s back, sides, and head.
No two pied ball pythons have the exact same pied pattern – each one is totally unique.
Pied ball pythons are non-venomous constrictors that kill prey by squeezing it.
They are not considered dangerous to humans.
Their unique appearance has made pied morph ball pythons very popular in the reptile trade recently.
Breeders are working on creating new variations of the classic pied morph.
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How Rare Are Pied Ball Pythons?
Pied ball pythons are considered quite rare compared to normal ball python morphs.
Piebald mutations originally occurred randomly in captive ball pythons, first documented in the early 2000s.
Breeders were able to isolate the recessive gene and begin intentionally producing pied ball pythons, but it still took many years to establish the morph.
Because the pied gene is recessive, both parent snakes must carry the gene for there to be a chance of producing pied offspring.
The odds of producing a pied ball python are 25% if both parents carry the piebald gene. So they are not easy to produce.
Even today, after over a decade of specialized pied breeding projects, pied ball pythons make up a very small portion of the market.
Fewer than 1 in 100 ball pythons are pied. The rarity and difficulty of producing these snakes add to the appeal for collectors.
Many believe the pied morph mutation originated just once in captive balls and was bred into isolated lineages, contributing to the rarity today.
How Much Do Pied Pythons Cost?
Pied ball pythons demand a high price tag due to their rarity and unique markings. Prices can vary quite a bit based on the snake’s genetics, age, breeder reputation, and degree of pied coloring.
Here’s an overview of what to expect.
Breeder Prices
From reputable online breeders like MorphMarket or CB Reptiles, expect to spend $400 to $1,500+ for a pied ball python—the more white coloring, the higher the price.
Here are some specific examples to get an idea.
Pet Store Prices
Big chain pet stores like Big Apple Herp offer pied balls from $200 to $500.
Pricing depends on the amount of white patterning. Pers for low-pied coloring start around $200.
Medium pied morphs cost $259 to $430.
High white pied balls fetch $300 to $500.
Other Factors
Age, genetics, breeder reputation, and shipping fees can also impact price.
Outback Reptiles’ prices range from $250 for a female pied to $450 for a super pastel pied.
Last time I checked New England Reptiles sold a basic pied ball for $1400.
The pied morph commands a premium price. But you should beware of unscrupulous sellers and only purchase from reputable, ethical sources.
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What Do Pied Ball Pythons Eat?
Like all ball pythons, pied morphs are carnivorous and subsist on a rodent-based diet.
In captivity, the best diet for a pied python is one or two appropriately-sized feeder rodents every 7-14 days.
In the wild, ball pythons are ambush predators and hunt mainly at night when temperatures are cooler.
They use heat-sensing pits on their lips to detect and grab warm-blooded prey like rodents, birds, and bats.
But wild snakes may only eat once a month or less when food is scarce.
For pet pied pythons, perfect feeder rodents are live or frozen/thawed mice, rats, and gerbils.
The prey size should match the girth of the snake.
As my own pied ball python grew, I gradually increased feeder size from mouse hoppers to adult mice to rat pups.
It’s also smart to dust feeders with calcium + D3 supplement powder once a month to prevent metabolic bone disease.
This ensures pied pythons get enough nutrients when fed less frequently.
A water bowl must also be provided at all times.
With the right rodent-based diet, proper supplements, and access to water, pied ball pythons can thrive in captivity.
Monitoring their feeding and weight gain helps optimize health.
How to Make a Panda Pied Ball Python
Before attempting to breed your own snakes, I recommend having several years of experience caring for ball pythons.
Breeding requires proper enclosures, temperatures, humidity, and general husbandry know-how. It’s also vital to understand ball python genetics to produce desired morphs responsibly.
That said, here is an overview of how to make a panda-pied ball python.
First, you need a black pastel ball python and a standard pied ball python. When you breed these two together, the offspring will be normal-colored balls and black pastels that carry the pied gene.
Next, take one of the black pastel “het pied” snakes and breed it back to the original pied parent. This pairing can produce normal pythons, black pastels, pieds, and the desired black pastel pied combo.
Breeding two of these black pastel pieds together can finally result in panda pied balls, along with the other possible morphs.
The panda pied exhibits a bold white and black color pattern.
However, the intricate genetic combinations involved make breeding panda pies difficult.
Always focus on the health and welfare of snakes over producing designer morphs.
Thorough research and ethical breeding practices are a must.
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How Big Do Pied Ball Pythons Get?
Pied ball pythons grow to be very manageable and medium-sized snakes perfect for handling.
On average, adult pied pythons reach lengths between 3 and 5 feet from head to tail.
Females tend to grow a bit larger and heavier than males. Fully grown female pied balls usually max out at 3 to 6 feet long and can weigh up to 5 pounds or slightly more.
Their chunky body mass helps accommodate egg production.
Males typically remain in the 3 to 4-foot range when mature, weighing 2 to 3 pounds at most. Males also have longer, slimmer tails compared to females.
Baby pied pythons start off tiny at just 10 inches or so! They grow rapidly during the first 3 years, putting on about 12 inches of length per year.
Growth slows down after they reach sexual maturity.
Providing proper housing, temperatures, feeding, and care will help a pied ball python thrive and reach its full adult size.
With their modest dimensions, pied pythons can live comfortably in a 40 to 60-gallon vivarium when fully grown.
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Final Thoughts
Pied ball pythons are truly one-of-a-kind snakes. Their piebald patterning makes each individual unique.
Pied morphs also have an interesting genetic history starting with random mutations leading to dedicated breeding projects.
While still considered rare, their availability is slowly increasing.
These snakes have simple care requirements overall, though levels of heat, humidity, and nutrition must be carefully maintained.
Their relatively modest adult size makes pied pythons a great option for beginners and reptile veterans alike.
With routine handling, pied balls become docile, curious pets.
We’ve just scratched the surface of exploring pied ball pythons in this article.
Their rising popularity will likely continue as more morph combinations are produced.
From prices to genetics to proper husbandry, we’ve covered the key points new and experienced keepers need to know.
Pied pythons offer beauty, uniqueness, and an interactive reptile pet all in one incredible snake.
FAQs
How do you tell if a ball python is het pied?
There is no visual way to identify a ball python as “het pied” or a carrier of the piebald gene. You would need to test breed it to a known pied snake and see if any pied offspring result.
How much does a pied python cost?
Pied ball python prices typically range from $200 for a low white specimen up to $1,500+ for a high white example from a top breeder. Unique morph combos can fetch even higher prices.
What temperature should a pied ball python be kept at?
Ideal temperatures for a pied ball python enclosure are 88-92°F on the warm end and 78-80°F on the cool end. This provides a thermal gradient for thermoregulation.
Resources – (for further reading)
EurekAlert! – A new understanding of reptile coloration
National Library of Medicine – Stripes and loss of color in ball pythons (Python regius) are associated with variants affecting endothelin signaling
Hannah owns a collection of reptiles, from geckos to snakes, and her home is essentially a living terrarium. Her expertise and passion for reptiles translate into engaging articles that educate and inspire fellow reptile lovers.