Desert Ghost Royal Pythons for sale in the UK

The Desert Ghost is a recessive royal python (ball python) gene. It makes the animal lighter and cleaner than a normal by removing dark pigment. People buy this morph for the way it ages as much as for its hatch look. While most morphs brown out, a Desert Ghost is one of the few that tends to look better as an adult. This gene appears across many combos. Common partners include Pastel, Clown and Genetic Stripe.

Appearance

Small yellow alien heads like gravel are seen on hatchlings, but these fade as the snake grows until the adult has a near-grey body with a faint yellow-gold wash. A faded crown sits on the head, which is dark brown to black. Because the stripe through the eye is fainter than on a normal royal python, it is less distinct. The tail matches the body colour.

Genetics

Because Desert Ghost is recessive, a Het Desert Ghost, a 50% Het Desert Ghost, a 66% Het Desert Ghost or a Pos Het Desert Ghost looks like a normal royal python. A shed test for it is available and it still breeds much like a single recessive in practice. Rare Genetics Inc. did genetic testing in 2023 which found the trait is carried mainly by two genes on different chromosomes, named DGa and DGb, with a third, DGc, also identified. Although it shares a word, it is a different gene from Desert, so check which one a listing means. Mark and Kim Bell of Reptile Industries first produced it in 2003. The trade shortens it to DG, and Bell Line DG refers to the original line. Named combos include Pastel Desert Ghost, Desert Ghost Clown and Desert Ghost Genetic Stripe.