Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons: Everything You Need (2024)

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Looking to expand your reptile collection? Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons are a fascinating choice.

These snakes, also known as BEL ball pythons, boast stunning white scales and captivating icy blue eyes. With their unique appearance and docile nature, they make excellent pets for herpetology enthusiasts.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover everything you need to know about caring for these beautiful creatures – from setting up the perfect enclosure to ensuring proper nutrition and health.

Get ready to embark on an exciting journey with the mesmerizing Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python!

What is a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python?

A Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python is a unique and rare morph of the ball python species, characterized by its white body and icy blue eyes.

This morph originated from common ball pythons in Africa through selective breeding practices that isolated the recessive genes responsible for the leucistic traits.

The icy blue eyes and patternless white body set the Blue Eyed Leucistic morph apart from the typical brown and black colorations of normal ball pythons.

As a designer morph, they require careful planning and consideration for breeding, as complex morphs like Lesser and Butter can introduce genetic issues.

Their striking appearance, combined with the breeding challenges, contribute to making Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons a coveted and prestigious morph in the reptile community.

When acquired responsibly, they make for a uniquely beautiful and docile pet snake that stands out from the rest.

Origin and History

You’re looking at a rare ball python morph that originated from an isolated recessive gene in the early 1990s when breeders Brian Barczyk and Tyler Stewart produced the first specimens.

These blue eyed leucistic ball pythons, also known as BELs, are a result of genetic advancements in breeding techniques. Their unique appearance and captivating blue eyes have made them highly sought after by reptile enthusiasts around the world.

The origin and history of these mesmerizing snakes can be traced back to their common ancestor, the Python regius or royal python found in Africa. Through selective breeding efforts, breeders were able to isolate this recessive gene responsible for their striking white coloration and icy blue eyes.

Since their introduction into the reptile community, BELs have gained regional popularity worldwide due to their stunning visual appeal. Breeders continue to work on expanding morph diversity through careful selection and pairing strategies.

Conservation efforts play an important role in ensuring healthy populations of these genetically valuable creatures exist both within captive collections as well as wild habitats where they originate from.

Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python Appearance

When it comes to the appearance of a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python, what you’ll notice first is its striking icy blue eyes.

• Unique white coloration with an iridescent sheen, earning them the nickname white wonders
• Striking blue eyes that seem to stare right through you with an icy elegance
• Small black pupils surrounded by pale blue irises, creating an exquisite and rare look

These genetic marvels possess a gorgeous leucistic appearance, from their white scales to blue eyes.

Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python Care

When caring for your blue eyed leucistic ball python, pay close attention to factors like:

• Enclosure size and setup
• Temperature regulation
• Humidity maintenance
• Proper handling techniques.

Getting these elements right is crucial for ensuring the health and wellbeing of your snake, while mistakes can lead to issues with shedding, respiratory infections, and stress.

In the following sections, we’ll explore proper husbandry practices for blue eyed leucistic ball pythons in regards to elements like their enclosures, temperature and humidity needs, and recommendations for safe handling.

Enclosure

Having examined their unique appearance traits, you’ll want to house your blue eyed leucistic ball python in an escape-proof enclosure with proper heating and humidity levels to meet their needs.

A custom enclosure allows for temperature regulation, humidity control, and aesthetically pleasing designs while ensuring proper space for your python. Consider enclosure dimensions, materials, lighting, and accessories to provide an ideal habitat.

Temperature

One essential component in properly caring for a blue eyed leucistic ball python is maintaining the right temperature range in their enclosure.

Be sure to provide a thermal gradient of 75-85°F on the warm end and 70-75°F on the cool end using under tank heat mats, ceramic heat emitters, and incandescent bulbs.

Monitor temperatures daily and make seasonal adjustments as needed to allow for proper thermoregulation.

Humidity

Since ball pythons originate from tropical regions of Africa, you’ll need to maintain proper humidity levels in their enclosure to support their health and shedding process.

Use a hygrometer to monitor the humidity, which should be 60-80%.

Provide a moisture hide packed with damp moss as well as a large water dish.

Mist the enclosure as needed, increasing humidity before sheds.

Ensure adequate ventilation to prevent scale rot.

Monitor sheds closely, as incomplete sheds can indicate insufficient humidity.

Providing proper moisture is essential for their hydration, shedding, and overall health.

Handling

To properly care for your Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python, it’s important to understand the best practices for handling.

Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python Behavior

Now delving into their behavioral characteristics, Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons, affectionately known as BELs, exhibit a nocturnal lifestyle, remaining sedentary during the day and transforming into active hunters under the cover of darkness.

These constrictors display a feeding strike, coiling around prey with precision, especially sensitive to environmental changes, showcasing a propensity for feeding strikes during cooler seasons.

Despite their impressive size potential, reaching up to 5 feet for females, they’re remarkably tolerant to handling, making them suitable for beginners.

To ensure a positive interaction, adopt careful handling practices such as washing hands, starting with short sessions, and providing proper support to the snake’s weight.

These captivating behaviors contribute to the allure of the BELs, though their breeding complexities and environmental sensitivities add a layer of challenge for enthusiasts.

Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python Diet

As you delve into the dietary needs of Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons, it’s essential to tailor their nutrition to their carnivorous nature, ensuring a balanced and appropriate meal plan at each stage of their life.

These pythons have specific prey preferences and require a feeding schedule that matches their growth rate.

Hatchlings typically eat pink or fuzzy mice, while juveniles consume small rodents such as rats or mice.

In addition to providing the right size and type of prey, it’s crucial to consider dietary supplements for optimal health. Calcium supplements are commonly used to prevent metabolic bone disease in these snakes.

Weight management is also important for blue eyed leucistic ball pythons due to their tendency towards obesity. Regular monitoring is necessary through weighing them periodically using an accurate scale.

Hydration needs shouldn’t be overlooked either; ensure access to clean water at all times by utilizing a sturdy water bowl that can’t be easily tipped over during feeding sessions.

By carefully considering prey preferences, following an appropriate feeding schedule with proper portion sizes based on age and size categories (hatchling/juvenile/adult), incorporating necessary dietary supplements like calcium powder when needed , paying attention weight management measures such as regular weigh-ins,and ensuring adequate hydration levels through provision fresh drinking water,you can effectively meet the nutritional requirements blue-eyed leucistic ball python requires for good health throughout its lifespan

Health and Common Issues

Keeping your Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python in optimal health is crucial, as these unique reptiles are susceptible to various issues that require attentive care.

Respiratory challenges and parasite concerns are key considerations.

Due to their special care requirements, vigilance against anorexia risks is essential.

Lifespan variability, spanning 20-30 years, underscores the need for consistent health monitoring.

Obesity prevention is paramount, demanding regular weight checks to ensure your snake thrives.

To maintain the well-being of your blue eyed leucistic ball python, a meticulous approach to their diet, consisting of appropriately sized prey items, is necessary.

By staying informed about health and common issues, you empower yourself to provide the best care for these extraordinary serpents.

Cost of Owning a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python

To own a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python, consider the financial aspects involved. This unique snake, prized for its icy blue eyes and white body, demands careful budgeting.

1. Initial Purchase Price: Acquiring a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python comes with a price tag ranging from $400 to $600, with stark-white specimens commanding higher values.

2. Habitat Setup:

   • Investing in a suitable enclosure, such as a PVC or plastic tank, along with a basking lamp, secure top, and proper hides, is essential for the snake’s well-being.

3. Feeding Costs:

   • As carnivores, their diet consists of pink/fuzzy mice for hatchlings, rodents for juveniles, and medium-sized rats for adults, incurring ongoing feeding expenses.

4. Veterinary Expenses:

   • Regular veterinary check-ups are crucial to address potential health issues, adding to the overall cost of caring for this exotic pet.

Beyond the initial snake price, understanding the ongoing expenses, including habitat, food, and veterinary care, is essential for those considering the captivating Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python.

Why Choose a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python?

Choosing a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python offers a captivating blend of unique appearance traits, a docile temperament, and manageable handling.

Their distinctive icy blue eyes and pristine white bodies, a result of isolated recessive genes, make them a rare and visually striking morph.

While the breeding process can be complex, the rewarding experience of caring for these snakes is complemented by their calm demeanor and suitability for beginners in the reptile-keeping community.

Unique Appearance Traits

Considering their extraordinary icy blue eyes and pristine white bodies, Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons stand out as captivating companions for reptile enthusiasts. The mesmerizing eye coloration and smooth skin texture result from their unique genetic makeup.

While their striking appearance makes them sought after in the market, breeding these designer pythons poses challenges.

The market demand for these blue-eyed beauties highlights their allure, making them an enticing choice for those seeking a distinctive and elegant snake companion.

Temperament and Handling

Embracing a docile nature and tolerating handling well, Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons make an excellent choice for those seeking a unique and manageable reptile companion.

Their behavioral patterns include sedentary daytime habits, transforming into active hunters at night.

When it comes to handling, these pythons are known for their tolerance, making them suitable for beginners.

Following proper handling techniques, such as washing hands, starting with short sessions, and supporting the snake’s weight, ensures a positive interaction for both the owner and the snake.

Breeding Complexities

Due to their unique appearance and rarity, Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons can be challenging to breed.

Breeding these rare snakes requires careful consideration of genetic pairings, as well as understanding coloration variations and morph compatibility.

Breeders must develop effective breeding strategies to ensure successful reproduction of this sought-after morph ball python.

The complexities involved in breeding Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Pythons make them a fascinating choice for experienced breeders seeking new challenges in the reptile world.

Where to Acquire a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python

If you’re eyeing a Blue Eyed Leucistic Ball Python, explore various avenues for acquisition.

• Reputable breeders are primary sources, offering assurance of lineage and health.
• Online marketplaces boast a range of options, although vetting sellers is crucial.
• Local expos or reptile shows often feature reputable breeders showcasing diverse morphs, allowing firsthand evaluation.
• Adoption resources like rescues or breed-specific forums may occasionally offer these pythons.

Ensure authenticity and health checks regardless of the source. Remember, their lifespan spans decades, necessitating commitment.

Consider snake size and water needs when setting up a suitable enclosure.

While Blue Eyed Leucistics are captivating, exploring alternatives like corn snakes or Brazilian rainbow boas might also align with your interests and space availability.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)