What color replaces dark pigment on the flanks of a Yellow Belly?

Bright yellow or orange

The hallmark feature distinguishing the Yellow Belly morph involves a significant lightening and alteration of the side markings. In a standard Ball Python, these areas typically feature dark brown or black blotches. The Yellow Belly interrupts this standard layout by showing substantially reduced dark pigment on the flanks. This reduction manifests as large, frequently irregular patches of bright yellow or orange color, which is the defining visual characteristic that gives the morph its name. This effect can sometimes look flame-like or 'flaring' as the dark pattern appears to dissolve into the lighter ground color climbing up the sides of the snake.