I've never investigated them much, to be honest. Awesome looking snakes, though! From photos it appears that there is a reduction in the depostition of melanin (melanophores are the second major pigment cell) in the cells, but that could be the result of many things. The formation of melanin follows a cascade of enzymatic events (one commonly referenced is the synthesis of tyrosinase), and a malfunction at any one of steps can cause varying forms of hypomelanism on through to amelanism. Once the pigment is made, another cascade of genetically controlled events determines its deposition within the skin - both location and quantity - which can also lead to varying forms of hypo- or amelanism. Lots of things can go "wrong" during pigment synthesis or deposition, and without testing for the presence of certain enzymes within the cells, it's anyone's guess as to what's really going on.

Interesting topic, and thanks for bringing it up.

How are things in TX? Any word on how filming is going with Dan's documentary?

-Cole

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