I believe genetic mutations occur in boas much like many other reptile species.the old urban legend/myth, that one can induce pattern anomolies through manipulation of the enviromental factors,stems from decades old reports of non-genetic pattern abnormalities in egg laying species,which can occur due to suboptimal temperature conditions(higher/lower than optimal) between gestation & hatching,(based on stages of development,it is presumed that this occurs during incubation,post oviposition,rather than pre-oviposition.)In my opinion,in order to cause mutation of pattern in live bearing species,temperatures would have to reach extremes that would also dramaticlly affect physiological development & mortality,to the extent that very few of these theoretical neonates would escape serious deformities internal & external. as far as "stress" being a factor in genetic anomolies,my opinion is "no",true genetic anomolies are caused by various biomechanical/biochemical malfunctions,or deviations from the original "blueprint".much like getting the cherries to line up on a slot machine...getting the right genes to line up simultaneously requires continually "pulling the handle down". numbers & chance to find it,applied genetic theory to isolate it when you do...just my 2 cents.
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