About recently collected morphs, Almost all come from one animal. Therefore are unique and normally have something telling about them. New individuals that are wild caught, generally are different even if the same morph and in most cases with recessive traits, are not compatible. So they have to be proved out. Of course, new to a species morphs is one thing, of value. But Another albino gopher or king, is nothing to get excited about unless its totally different.

I get out some and do see morphs fairly commonly and hybrids. Two years ago, I saw axanthics of four species in one year, seen albinos, etc etc etc. All manner of goofy stuff. Not sure why its more common now, again it could be survival mode for these snakes. We are in a HUGE drought, 18 years and continuing. About 4 years ago, I found albino, striped and some morph I never heard of gophersnakes, all in one year, now they are gone. The population has dropped to less then 10% of what we had. 90% die off. And yes, I documented it, including dying animals. full adults dying left and right. Whether its the drought, or some other reason, its happening. This has been reported all over the world recently. My area has been hit hard.

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