Lesser
Type: Incomplete Dominant
First Produced By: Ralph Davis Reptiles
Complex: Complex: Blue Eyed Leucistic (BluEL)
Issues: Bug Eyes (Super Lesser)
First Produced In: 2001 [1]
Availability: Rarest
Last Updated: 2025-07-05
About
The Lesser is an incomplete dominant morph known for its rich golds, yellows, and warm browns contrasted against heavy blushing and a clean belly. Its super form is a Blue-Eyed Leucistic (BEL), often exhibiting minor physical quirks like “bug eyes.”
Issues
History
The Lesser morph originated with Ralph Davis in 2000–2001. Davis bred a male referred to as the “Platinum Daddy” to several normal females. The resulting offspring resembled their father, but with less intense fading. These were named “Lesser Platinums.”
By 2003, Davis bred Lesser × Phantom and produced BELs, confirming it as part of the Blue-Eyed Leucistic complex. Through test pairings, Davis identified Lesser as an incomplete dominant mutation and began developing combos from it. He also suspected the original Platinum male might carry an additional “hidden gene” contributing to the animals’ hypo-like appearance. [2]
Initially, Butter and Lesser were believed to be two names for the same gene, simply founded by different breeders at different times. Both morphs produced blue-eyed leucistics when bred to one another and were categorized together as part of the Blue-Eyed Leucistic (BEL) complex, alongside Mojave, Russo, Mystic, Phantom, Mocha, and Special.
In May 2025, Rare Genetic Inc (RGI) released results confirming that Butter and Lesser are genetically distinct traits
Appearance
Head
The head of a Lesser Ball Python is usually completely covered by a light brown colour, with a slight spot of blushing towards the neck.
Body
The body of the Lesser Ball Python is normally covered in high amounts of blushing along its usually black, “puzzle” pattern, between bright yellow and orange “alien heads”. Blushing ranges from slightly dark brown to bright tan and mellow oranges.
Belly
The Lesser Ball Python tends to have a clean and crisp belly, with very little, if any, markings.
Tail
The tail of the Lesser Ball Python usually expresses heavy blushing and follows the colourations of the rest of the body.
Proven Lines
Butter and Lesser were historically grouped together, but as of 2025, they are genetically confirmed to be distinct traits.
Combos
Raven Lesser OD Pinstripe (World’s First) By AK Morphs
Black Pewter Lesser X Cinnamon Lesser clutch By Shaun Hacke at Dark Blizzard Exotics
Lesser Pastel Spotnose By Tony Gayter at Alto Pythons
Super: Blue Eyed Leucistic (BEL) (Lesser X Lesser) By Shaun Hacke at Dark Blizzard Exotics
Orange Dream Lesser By AK Morphs
Orange Dream Lesser Pinstripe By AK Morphs
Orange Dream Lesser By AK Morphs
Raven Lesser Pinstripe By AK Morphs