Ball pythons and their many morph possibilities have long fascinated reptile owners. Add to this the fact that ball pythons have a docile temperament and are an easy size to care for and it’s not hard to see why they are the most popular breed of pet snake in the world. There are at least 26 primary ball python morphs, and one of the most well-loved of these morphs is the Mystic ball python.
The Mystic ball python is a co-dominant base morph snake and is hugely popular with breeders because of its ability to create unique and high contrast combos when paired with other morphs. Mystics have a slight purple and grayish color as babies but eventually grow to have a deep black body with burnt orange/brown highlights. They are sometimes confused with the Mojave ball python as they can appear very similar in their pattern and color scheme, though Mystics will often appear darker and less colorful.
On their own, Mystic ball pythons may not have the brightest, grandest appearance compared to other ball python morphs, but in the breeding process, these snakes have amazing potential and can create some seriously beautiful and surprising looks! If you’re thinking of buying a mystic ball python or just want to learn a little more about them, check out our guide to these cool snakes below.
Are Mystic Ball Pythons Dangerous?
In short, no. Like all ball pythons, a Mystic ball python’s bite is not venomous and they are too small to be able to constrict their owners, even small children. However, since a ball python bite can still be a painful and perhaps even traumatic experience for younger or inexperienced owners, it’s good to be aware of the potential risks of keeping a Mystic ball python.
When Mystics are stressed or feel threatened, they will mostly respond to this by hiding or curling into a ball, but more aggressive individuals may respond to fearful or stressful situations by biting, which will feel like a high-pressure pinch on the affected area, like being pricked with a sewing needle.
Though they have tiny rows of sharp teeth, a ball python’s jaws are not particularly strong, so their bite will rarely draw blood. The trauma of being bitten is often worse than the pain, so to prevent young owners from experiencing this, it’s always wise to get your ball python well socialized among handlers first once you buy them as babies.
How Much Do Mystic Ball Pythons Cost?
Mystic ball pythons are relatively inexpensive and may cost as little as $60 to $100 depending on where you buy them from. As with most ball pythons, Mystics will also tend to cost less if you purchase them as babies.
Mystics are by no means one of the most expensive ball python morphs, but their sought-after potential for unique colors and patterns may make them a little pricier than others.
How Big Does a Mystic Ball Python Get?
Mystic ball pythons can typically grow between 3 to 5 feet in length, averaging out at about 3 ½ feet. As with all ball pythons, male Mystics will generally be smaller than the females, averaging at 2 to 3 feet in size once they reach adulthood (around 3 years old or so). If you buy them as adults, make sure you know how to correctly and comfortably handle them.
Are Mystic Ball Pythons Good Pets?
Yes – because of their even temperament and manageable size, Mystic ball pythons can make great pets. They are even suitable for snake beginners and young children, since they do not constrict and rarely bite.
Day to day care for Mystics is relatively easy since they only need feeding every 5 to 7 days and require a modest size tank of around 10 to 20 gallons depending on their size.
To help the shed properly and feel generally comfortable in their environment, you will need to control the humidity in their enclosure and keep their tank clean to reduce the risk of salmonella.
Mystic Ball Python Cool Facts
- Their eggs have leathery shells – Unlike most hardened reptile eggs, Mystic ball python lay eggs with leathery, flexible shells. This also causes the eggs to helpfully ‘stick’ close together in a bundle, so one hatchling doesn’t roll away!
- They are the least likely snake to bite – Of all snake species, ball pythons are the least likely to bite you, so you know you’ve really stressed your Mystic out if you get bitten!
- They love to fast – Mystics, and all ball pythons in fact, love to take a period of fasting, which is why so many ball python owners sometimes report their snakes refusing to eat. Often this is no cause for concern, but simply a kind of cleanse or ‘detox’ your Mystic will volunteer themselves for, sometimes for up to a month!
- They can lay eggs without even breeding – Female ball pythons can actually lay eggs without mating first, but each one of these eggs is infertile and are known as ‘slugs’. Even after mating, there can sometimes be some ‘slugs’ among a clutch of healthy hatchlings.
Mystic Ball Python Genetics
Mystic ball pythons are a co-dominant morph, which essentially means that their genes produce an un-blended effect and work together to ensure that each gene in a pair is expressed equally.
For example, if both parents of the Mystic possess 1 black gene and 1 orange gene each, then the resulting offspring will display a relatively faithful black and orange color combo with little murkiness or ‘blending’. It’s only in the breeding with other ball python morphs that Mystics colors become so wild and varied compared to their base form.
Mystics carry the same allele (gene variant) as the Mojave and Lesser Platinum ball python, which explains why the Mystic is often mistaken for the Mojave ball python with its similarly black and orange color pattern.
How Rare are Mystic Ball Pythons?
Mystic ball pythons are not thought of as rare in their base morph form, however, they are often bred with various ball python morphs to create quite rare and expensive combinations, such as the Super Mystic ball python and the enchanting looking Mystic Potion ball python, which can fetch for thousands of dollars.
Breeding Mystic Ball Pythons
Mystic ball pythons are a hugely popular breeding tool because of their potential to create awe-inspiring color patterns. Owners that are too eager to breed their Mystics may run into rookie mistakes that not only risk the female’s health but also the health of the offspring since some health conditions – including blindness – can arise from improper breeding techniques.
You need to be certain that your Mystic is bred with a suitable ball python morph and that you have carefully considered the mating conditions and timing etc to achieve the safest results. If you ever consider breeding your Mystic to other ball python morphs, be sure to do your research thoroughly and talk to reputable breeders beforehand to discuss the best techniques.
Mystic Ball Python Shedding
Like all healthy ball pythons, Mystics should shed their skin every 4 to 6 weeks to allow for new growth and to rid its scales of any parasites that may have become attached. Around the time of shedding, you’ll likely notice your Mystic’s scales turning a dull color and their eyes will appear milky blue.
They may even display defensive behavior around this time or have a loss of appetite, which is perfectly normal – but if these symptoms persist outside their shedding cycle, it’s important to check in with your nearest reptile vet to rule out anything serious.
Most Popular Mystic Ball Python Morphs
Mystic Potion ball python – breeding a Mystic to a Mojave or Phantom will result in this subtle yet enchanting ball python morph. These have the beautiful color combo of grey with hints of purple and pink with high contrast white lines and dots along its dorsal (spine).
Super Mystic ball python – breeding two Mystics together creates a Super Mystic ball python, which creates a morph with super high contrast black and pale yellow, so the ball python pattern really stands out!
Super Mystic Pinstripe ball python – crossing a Super Mystic with a Pinstripe ball python creates the awesome combo of the high contrast Super Mystic qualities with the striking appearance of the Pinstripe’s solid line of color running along its back – a very beautiful snake with a grayish beige body and a pale lemon stripe.
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