Randy, that's a ridiculously good looking snake. I hope you can help me understand a little better about this, though.



Generally speaking, leucism and hypomelanism don't have anything to do with one another genetically, as far as I understand. For example, Texas Rat Snakes that are het for leucistic aren't hypo. But Hypo Corn Snakes aren't het for leucistic.



As far as hypo snakes go, I've seen examples that were seriously light, perhaps verging on amelanistic, and examples that were lighter than the norm, but certainly not screamers. As I understand it, hypomelanism is simply an animal who exhibits decreased melanine, giving it a lighter appearance.



Now your snake is at the top of the spectrum when it comes to lighter, and more attractive coloration. And since it looks to be young, it will most certainly get better looking as it grows. (yes, I'm jealous ) And your snake is heterozygous for leucism. (yup, jealous again) But because your animal shows visible genetic markers for the leucistic genes, I don't think it precludes Burms that aren't het for leucistic from being light colored enough to be considered hypomelanistic. Two snakes obviously come to my mind. lol



There are two strains of amelanism in Retics that aren't compatible. That would lead one to beleive that two strains of hypomelanism in Burms is possible. One strain may be purely for reduced melanine, while the other, more pronounced hypo is also a genetic marker for leucism.



I know my photographic skills didn't impress anyone in the last 'hypo' post, but the hatchlings I have are substantially lighter than any other normal burms I've seen, and they seem to be lightening with each shed. The purpose of this post wasn't to make myself feel better, but I genuinely believe everything I've said.



VinnyButch

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