Why do you consider color and pattern as deformities??

I think color and pattern aren't a deformity. I consider a deformity as.... Kinks, missing eyes, extra parts, or any other instance where the snake is not "formed" correctly. To me a deformity is something that "could" bring down it's quality of life.

I realize that in the wild that an abnormal colored or patterned snake could bring down the quality of life, but normally they'd only make them an easier target for predators. Mainly because they'd be easier to spot.

A "mis-shapen" snake would also be an easier target for pretators, but in that case, it might be an inability to escape that would make them a target. Some boas are so badly mis-shapen that they don't survive very long after birth. Anyway I think when talking about defomities in snakes that color and pattern shouldn't be considered a deformity.

Also deformities are "generally" random. They can't be "consistantly and predictably" reproduced. If they could we could eliminate them all together.

A boa with a different pattern or color can still be formed correctly. It's just got a different paint job. I've always thought of different colors or patterns a genetic mutation. Color and pattern morphs can be consistantly and predictably reproduced.

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