I answered this same question on another forum. Here is a copy of my response...

Your question is both valid and greatly appreciated. I would like to address it personally, considering I produced the animal in question.

First, I think posting some shots of Jags and Normal Siblings side-by-side will help. Please note that all of these hatchlings are from the exact same parents (some from '05 and others from '04). This will give everyone a glimpse into what I see when my clutches hatch. Please note the following snakes...











Okay, did you have any significant trouble determining which of the snakes listed above are Jags and which are Normal Sibs? Though the Jags vary quite a bit, it's still fairly easy to differentiate. However, if you have nothing to compare them to, then things may become more challenging. BTW, I changed the color balance on Joe's snake (it was a bit too green).

Anyway, lets compare the head and neck pattern of Joe's Jag to another Jaguar with a more traditional and more easily identifiable body pattern (again, from the same parents)...



And now look closely at the Normal Sibs from the same clutch as Joe's...



I think the photos speak for themselves. Here is a Normal Sibling and a Hypo Jag from the same clutch...



These two have the same father as all the previous snakes, but a different mother. She was a Tiger as opposed to a banded Coastal. The Tiger mother gave all of her offspring a much broader pattern, while the banded mother gave her offspring a much tighter, more condensed, banded appearance.

Look again at this animal, and considering the cross-section of Normal Sib's and Jags I have shown you from the same clutch, tell me what you think it is.



I hope this helps to clear things up a bit.
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Will Leary
Reptilicus Reptiles
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