Puzzle Royal Pythons for sale in the UK

The royal python (ball python) features the Puzzle gene, which is a recessive pattern gene. The name comes from how it breaks the rounded alien heads on the flanks into jagged, interlocking shapes. Rather than for colour, keepers buy it for pattern. It works best when stacked with brightening genes, with Pastel being the best of all.

Appearance

The side blotches change on the flanks. A Puzzle has connected, serrated shapes that fit together like jigsaw pieces instead of the rounded side blotches of a normal. These sit on a green-to-yellow ground that often looks brighter than a normal. Striping is common on the neck. While the head stays close to a normal royal python in deeper tones, the tail ends in the usual beading or thick stripe. The broken side pattern runs all the way down to the tail. Because expression varies widely from one animal to the next, judge the individual rather than the name. Some animals have a more open pattern while others have heavily connected sides.

Genetics

The Puzzle gene is recessive and has no super form. Unless a snake shows the visual, it looks like a normal royal python. You will see Puzzle, Het Puzzle, 50% Het Puzzle, 66% Het Puzzle and Pos Het Puzzle in listings. Because a shed test exists for the gene, you can check a het claim without waiting for a proving clutch. No known allelic complex is associated with Puzzle. The best-known named combo is Buzz, which is a Pastel Spider Puzzle. Sean Bradley of Exotics by Nature proved the gene on its own in 2011 when it surfaced in Pastel animals.