Mojave Ball Python
The Mojave is one of the most recognizable and widely used ball python morphs, prized for its clean brown-and-tan coloring, high-contrast pattern and reduced belly markings.
🗓️ Last reviewed: July 2026
Overview
The Mojave is one of the most recognizable and widely used ball python morphs, prized for its clean brown-and-tan coloring, high-contrast pattern and reduced belly markings. It is a foundational "building block" gene in the hobby because it combines well with many other morphs and forms part of the blue-eyed leucistic (BEL) complex. The Mojave is a colour and pattern morph of the ball python (Python regius).
What it is
A Mojave is a single-gene mutation that alters the base ball python look rather than the animal's care needs. Compared with a normal (wild-type) ball python, a Mojave shows richer, more defined coloration, cleaner flanks, distinctive "alien head" pattern markings and a noticeably whiter belly with reduced dark speckling. The overall effect is a tidier, higher-contrast version of the classic ball python pattern.
The genetics
The Mojave is inherited as an incomplete-dominant trait. In the hobby this is almost always called "co-dominant" or "co-dom," but technically it is incomplete-dominant: a single copy of the gene visibly changes the snake's appearance, and two copies produce a distinctly different "super" form rather than just a stronger single-gene look. The super Mojave (two copies) is a blue-eyed leucistic - a mostly white or pale snake with blue eyes - and it is viable and healthy, not a lethal super form. Because a single copy already shows, there are no hidden "het Mojave" carriers: if a snake has the gene, you can see it. Mojave is also part of the wider BEL complex, meaning it can pair with other complex genes (such as Lesser, Butter, Russo and others) to make blue-eyed leucistic combinations.
Appearance
Single-copy Mojaves have a dark chocolate-to-black base broken up by golden-tan to cream markings, often with connected "alien head" shapes and clean, keyhole-like patterning down the sides. The belly is typically bright white with little of the peppering seen on normal ball pythons. Eyes are normal in the single-gene form. Coloration can deepen or mellow slightly as the animal matures, but the crisp contrast remains a hallmark. The super form is dramatically different: a near-white or pale, patternless snake with striking blue eyes.
How it is bred
Because Mojave is incomplete-dominant, only one parent needs to carry the gene to produce Mojave offspring - there is no need to pair two hidden carriers as you would with a recessive morph. Pairing a single-gene Mojave with a normal yields a mix of Mojaves and normals. Pairing two single-gene Mojaves can produce the super Mojave (blue-eyed leucistic) when a hatchling inherits the gene from both parents. Breeders also stack Mojave with other morphs to create combos, and pair it with other BEL-complex genes to make blue-eyed leucistics. This is a general overview, not step-by-step breeding instruction.
Cost and availability
The Mojave is common, well established and inexpensive as morphs go. Single-gene Mojaves are among the more affordable "designer base" snakes, while super Mojaves (BELs) and multi-gene Mojave combos command higher prices depending on what other genes are involved. Availability is excellent through general ball python breeders.
Health and ethics
The Mojave gene itself carries no known genetic welfare problem - it is a colour and pattern change only, and both the single-gene form and the super (BEL) form are viable and healthy. This is unlike some other ball python genes (for example Spider, which is linked to a neurological "wobble"); Mojave is not associated with those issues. As always, buy from a reputable breeder who keeps clear genetic records, and see a qualified reptile (herp) veterinarian for any health concern.
Care
Care for a Mojave is identical to that of a standard ball python - the morph changes only appearance, not the animal's needs for heating, humidity, enclosure size, feeding or handling. Follow a reputable, up-to-date ball python husbandry resource for temperature gradients, humidity, hides and feeding, and consult a herp veterinarian for medical questions. No special morph-specific care is required.
Mojave Ball Python - frequently asked questions
Is the Mojave dominant or recessive?
It is incomplete-dominant, commonly called "co-dom" in the hobby. A single copy shows visibly, and there are no hidden carriers - if a snake has the gene, it looks like a Mojave.
What is a super Mojave?
A super Mojave is a snake that inherited the Mojave gene from both parents. It appears as a blue-eyed leucistic (BEL) - mostly white with blue eyes - and it is a healthy, viable animal, not a lethal form.
Does the Mojave gene cause any health problems?
No. Unlike some ball python morphs linked to neurological issues, the Mojave has no known genetic welfare problem. It still needs the same care as any ball python, and a herp vet for health concerns.