Has a melanistic ball python ever existed?

[erisna]

Melanistic eastern garter snakes have been recorded, it’s a simple recessive mutation in that species!
https://bioone.org/journals/Herpetologica/volume-59/issue-4/02-93/MENDELIAN-INHERITANCE-OF-MELANISM-IN-THE-GARTER-SNAKE-THAMNOPHIS-SIRTALIS/10.1655/02-93.short

https://www.google.com/search?q=melanistic+garter+snake&client=safari&hl=en-us&prmd=isnv&sxsrf=ALeKk00G498QvGzsLWP48uGXdig98XJeyg:1615990453246&source=lnms&tbm=isch&biw=414&bih=715&dpr=2