Why is the scientific designation *Python regius* essential for international trade of Ball Pythons?
It acts as an immutable anchor for compliance, as *P. regius* is CITES Appendix II listed.
Adherence to the scientific classification, *Python regius*, is crucial for legal and ethical trade because the species is formally listed on CITES Appendix II, meaning international movement is regulated to ensure sustainability. Regardless of whether an animal is wild-type or a specialized morph like Yellow Belly, its identity for all legal documentation, including trade paperwork, must correspond to the species name. The morph name is merely a specialized descriptor for collection and aesthetic purposes within the hobby, whereas the immutable scientific classification is mandatory for compliance checks related to international regulations concerning threatened or regulated species.
