Clown
Type: Recessive
First Produced By: Vida Preciosa International
Complex: Clown Complex
First Produced In: 1999 [1]
Availability: Common
Last Updated: 2023-04-01
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About
The first wild caught Clown ball python had small dark tear markings beneath the eye that reminded Vida Preciosa International Inc, the original producer of the Clown, of tear drops often displayed by clowns, giving it the name.
History
Some time around 1996, Dave and Tracy Barker of Vida Preciosa International (VPI) imported an odd male ball python from Africa. The animal had an unusual head pattern and an extremely clean body pattern with a pale yellowish-gold background. A spot under the animal’s eye reminded them of a clown’s tear, so they named the mutation “Clown”.
In 1998, VPI paired the odd male to a few normal females and produced clutches of normal-looking balls. This proved that the mutation, if it truly was genetic, to not be incomplete dominant.
A year earlier, they had acquired a 1.2 group of hatchlings from Africa that also displayed this same pattern, so after getting to breeding size by 1999, they paired them together and produced the first Clown offspring. In 2000, the 1996 Clown was bred with the 1997 Clowns and produced another lot of visual Clowns.
Meanwhile, BHB Reptiles had also managed to acquire a male wild caught animal that displayed these exact traits, so in 2001, he paired this to a Clown from VPI and produced his first Clown clutch. [2]
Appearance
Head
Compared to the clean, dark head of a Normal ball python, the Clown is bright and busy, with markings showing above the lips, beneath the eyes and the crown of the head.
Body
The Clown ball python has a hugely reduced pattern with a thick, dark brown dorsal stripe and only slight banding from the “alien heads” of a Normal. Patterns are crisp and clean, with fewer spots and smudges showing.
Belly
The belly of the Clown ball python is usually clean with a yellow undertone running down the central scales and the outer edges showing faded spotting.
Tail
The tail of the Clown ball python is usually dominated by the thick dark dorsal stripe.
Proven Lines
VPI Line, BHB Line.
Combos
- Asystole (Het Red Axanthic Pastel Spider Clown)
- Batman (Leopard Spotnose Clown)
- Candied Clown (Clown Ghost)
- Crypton (100% Het Clown 100% Het Cryptic)
- Grail (Clown Lavender Albino)
- Killer Clown (Super Pastel Clown)
Clown Super Pastel Ball Python by Markus Jayne Ball Pythons
Clown Butter Phantom Ball Python by Markus Jayne Ball Pythons
Clown Leopard Ball Python by Markus Jayne Ball Pythons
Clown Orange Dream Pastel Ball Python by Markus Jayne Ball Pythons
Pinstripe Clown By Deborah Stewart
Banana Clown By Deborah Stewart
Enchi Redhead Leopard Clown (Probable Redstripe, Possble YB) 50% Het Hypo Ball Python by KINOVA
Black Pastel Enchi Redstripe YB Leopard Clown Ball Python by KINOVA
Fire Confusion Batman Ball Python by KINOVA
Lace Batman Ball Python by KINOVA
Confusion Coral Glow Clown Ball Python by KINOVA
OD Clown Pied (Poss YB) Ball Python by KINOVA
Blade Grail 66% Het Pied Ball Python by KINOVA
Fire Special Spotnose Clown Ball Python by KINOVA
OD YB Fire Cinnamon Spotnose Clown Ball Python by KINOVA
