Sunset
Gene
Sunset is a recessive ball python morph (Python regius) selected for unusually rich orange, copper, and reddish-brown tones. Visual sunsets can look fiery as juveniles, with dark patterning set against a warm body color; adults may deepen or soften depending on line and combination. Because it is recessive, a snake must inherit the sunset gene from both parents to show the visual morph, while heterozygous animals usually look like non-sunset ball pythons. The gene has been combined with clown, hypo, banana, and other morphs, but availability remains lower than many long-established projects.
Sunset projects are managed like other recessive ball python projects: breeders rely on accurate pairing records and often prove out possible hets before selling them as breeders. The higher price of visual animals makes documentation, photos of parents, and clear terms more important than color descriptions alone. Care does not differ from other ball pythons, with attention to a stable thermal gradient, secure hides, moderate humidity, and prey sized to the snake. Buyers should expect normal ball python temperament and feeding habits rather than any special behavior tied to the sunset gene.
