The Stormtrooper Ball Python is a unique Python morph indeed — it has only appeared once and cannot be replicated (yet!). The morph was accidentally bred in 2015 by a designer Ball Python breeder, and it became affectionately known as the “stormtrooper” morph due to its unique coloring and patterns.
While only one of these unique morphs exists and little is known as to how it happened, let’s take a deeper look at this beautiful morph.
Quick Facts About Stormtrooper Ball Python
| Species Name: | Python regius |
| Common Name: | Pastel Axanthic or Stormtrooper |
| Care Level: | Moderate |
| Lifespan: | 20-30 years |
| Adult Size: | 2-5 feet |
| Diet: | Small mammals, rodents |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 30-40 gallons |
| Temperature & Humidity:
|
Graduated; 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit (warm end) and 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit (cool end)
50-60% humidity |
Do Ball Pythons Make Good Pets?
Ball Pythons are one of the most popular pet snakes because they are docile and easy to care for and great for beginners. They are generally comfortable with being handled and will happily sit wrapped around their owner’s waist or arm. They get their name from the way that they roll and constrict into a tight ball when they feel threatened, and they come in various morphs, including the infamous, one-off Stormtrooper variety.
Where did the Stormtrooper come from?
A designer Ball Python breeder from Iowa in the United States, JDConstriction.com, hatched a uniquely colored Python. Little was known about what caused this snake to look the way it did. The breeder intended the snake to be an Axanthic x Pastel, which is a fairly common morph, but it came out with a white base and unique black markings. This particular breeder specialized in black-and-white morphs, but even he was confused by what he saw.
Appearance
What made this female Python so unique was that she was white with pitch-black markings that varied in thickness. This unique coloring is what gave the Stormtrooper their name, as they resembled the infamous “Star Wars” character! The morph has yet to be stabilized by breeders, and they have been unable to replicate this unique coloration.
Interestingly, the Stormtrooper has seemed to gain melanin as it ages, resulting in the black markings on the top of its body bleeding out into each other. The sides of the snake are still mostly white, but it seems to be getting darker and darker as it gets older. The breeder now refers to this unique gene as the “darkness” or “dirty” gene, as the snake will slowly darken through its life and completely change its appearance.
How Much Do Stormtrooper Ball Pythons Cost?
Because this morph is yet to be replicated, there are no offspring available, and it’s pretty much impossible to purchase one of these snakes. The original Stormtrooper was on display at various snake shows and was even for sale at one point, with a price tag of $50,000! However, the breeder decided to keep it to attempt to breed it and see if it could be replicated. So far, he has had no success but hopes to have some for sale in the next 5 years or so.
Conclusion
While all Ball Pythons are gorgeous reptiles to look at, every now and then, a morph variation comes along and stuns the world of snake enthusiasts. The Stormtrooper is one of the best examples of this, but we’re sure there are many more. Let us know in the comments if you own a unique Python morph.
