How Much do Ball Pythons Cost?

The ball python (Python regius) is also known by the common name of the royal python.

These are some of the most common snakes in the pet trade. They have some of the greatest variety in appearance as well.

If you want a ball python as a pet, you may be wondering how much does a ball python cost. This depends on the morph, and given that there are over 7000 unique morphs, the price will be different depending on how rare the morph is.

So, how much does a Ball Python cost?

On average, a typical ball python will cost between $100-200. The exact cost can be a lot higher depending on the morph or color of the snake and what genes it may have. Snakes with many genes that are valuable for breeding projects go for a lot. more. You can get a normal ball python for under $80.

For a complete guide to enclosure setup, feeding, daily care and breeding,
check out my Ball Python Care Sheet.

Classic Ball Pythons

The normal ball python is the typical wild appearance of the species. These are snakes with a brown to yellow appearance and large “alien head” marking along the side of the body.

This helps them blend in with the forest floor of their Western and Central African homes. These snakes are the most common in the pet trade.

Many popular morphs are recessive traits, so it isn’t uncommon for normal babies to be produced in pairs that don’t display these colors.

You can find these snakes for $40-80 from many breeders. They aren’t in demand, so you can get lucky and find them for less if you head to a reptile show.

Albino

An albino animal may be white, yellow, or pink and will have pink eyes typically. Many common morphs feature this trait in the mix.

A typical albino ball python will go for between $250-350. If you add other visual traits like pied or super, the price goes up to around $600-700 for one young snake.

Adult snakes will go for much more, so be sure to look into when your snake was hatched. If you aren’t planning on breeding your ball python, do not worry about what genes it has and select a snake you like the look of.

Breeders charge more for interesting genes since they are aiming to sell to other breeders looking for new blood for breeding projects.

Piebald

Pied ball pythons are known for areas of stark white with patches of other colors along the body. The more obvious the pied trait is, the more the snake will cost.

If you mix other genes in, the price also goes up. Any new genes in the mix will raise the price, but visual traits will be more expensive.

A typical piebald ball python with the colored patches in the normal colors for the species will be between $300-700 depending on the age of the snake.

The more patches of white the snake have, the more it will typically go for. Traits like banana or pastel added in raise the price to around $450 or more.

Snakes with three genes or visible combinations can go for over $1000. Adult piebald ball pythons that are ready to breed typically start at around $1200.

Better gene combinations will go up in price from that base.

Axanthic

Axanthic ball pythons are known for their intense black and white coloration thanks to missing either the red or yellow pigment in a normal ball python.

Some snakes may lack both pigments. They have a grayscale look that is popular among many snake lovers. This is a rarer gene, so finding one with a visual axanthic appearance is not easy.

Snakes with a more subtle look can be acquired for as little as $300. Ones with a more dramatic appearance or multiple genes like pastel will go for $600 and up.

Most animals you find available just have the genes for axanthic. This means that their offspring could have the gray coloration, but the parent will not.

Keep this in mind when buying a snake if you do not intend to breed your pet.

Most axanthic ball pythons will gain more brown to their coloration as they age. Be sure to look at pictures of adults as well as babies so you are not disappointed.

Spider

The spider gene in ball pythons cause a unique pattern that was originally described as looking like a spiderweb. It is one of the oldest known genes and came from a wild-caught animal. You can find this gene in morphs like the bee collection of morphs.

If you see the webbed pattern, check to see if the snake has the spider gene. The spider gene is well-known for causing a neurological issue known as wobble.

Snakes with this condition have trouble moving easily. It can be minor and just look like the snake is swaying a bit, or be so severe the snake has trouble getting around.

Many spider ball pythons have issues with striking and feeding since the excitement of feeding increases the neurological symptoms.

It is hard to predict how severe an individual snake may be affected since even parents that have little to no symptoms can produce young with a severe condition and vice versa.

If you want one of these snakes, they can be acquired for as little as $75.

You can find many unique combinations for under $200. Some rare combos will be $500 and up. Even proven breeders can be had for under $1000, unlike many other morphs.

Ball Python Supply Cost

Setup & Feeding costs

Ball pythons do also have a cost for supplies. The first is the enclosure.

A basic enclosure suitable for a baby or juvenile ball python costs around $150. Most glass enclosures for adults will be around $250-300.

Repti Zoo 48x24x24″ Glass Terrarium

Comfortable size
Front opening doors: easier to access and less stressful for your snake
Waterproof bottom and inlets for heating and thermostat wires
Easy to setup & Knock down for transportation

reptizoo 48x24x24 inches glass terrarium

Check Price

Glass terrariums work well, but if you have the budget, I do suggest buying a PVC enclosure from a place like Custom Reptile Habitats.

They hold humidity better which is important for ball pythons. They start around $400 for a 4 foot that would work for a smaller male that is about 4 feet long.

If your snake is longer, you will want a 6-foot enclosure that will be around $900-1000. Decor and hides can be under $50 for everything.

Heating and lighting will be fairly cheap. Most lighting systems are under $30 just to see your pet. Make sure you use a timer to give your snake a cycle and never use colored lighting since it can harm your snake.

Most heat mats and thermostats are under $40 for both pieces. You will want a digital thermometer and hygrometer that checks both ends of the thermal gradient and that is around $20. You can offer UV on a timer if you like, the bulbs are $30 and must be replaced yearly.

You also need a temperature gun to check the temperatures where your snake rests. This is $30. Other assorted supplies like feeding tongs and cleaning supplies are around $50.

Feeder mice or rats are $30-60 depending on the size of the feeder and the package size.

Micedirect Frozen Rats X15

Direct from the producer
Packed in dry ice, delivered by FedEx
These feeder Rats for snakes are put to sleep with Co2 so they never suffer

Check Price

The package size tends to be 100 for pinky mice and will be 50 or 25 a bag for larger mice. You should switch to rats once your snake is large enough and they come in packs of 25 for rat pups and this goes down.

You will be able to feed your snake for a minimum of a month with most feeder packs.

Vet care is $40-70 for a basic checkup. You can buy pet insurance for around $10 a month to cover emergencies and basic care and testing. All your supplies will add up to $630.