Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This year I am planning on picking up a few okeetee corns. I have worked with tons of colubrids but somehow managed to avoid corns despite always wanting some. My question is, can you tell anything about what the colors of these guys will turn into from looking at hatchlings? Do the nicest babies usually turn out the best or can mediocre babies turn out to be bright pretty adults?

could anyone post some before and after pics?

I am about to put some deposits down for some abott line okeetees from south mountain and if I'm going to have my pic I might as well know what to look for!

Anyone have any other suggestions for breeders of top notch okeetees? (actual locality is not terribly important to me, but it would be nice)

cheers

I'm no expert, so I'll start there, but in general yes better babies become better adults. We also had a debate some time back about what is an okeetee. There are 2 types. Locality, ones caught in Jasper county or the hunting club or whatever your locality definition is.

Then there is what we all look for in okeetees. Deep orange and larger than normal black saddles. The biggest black saddles being called Abbotts.

I'd personally go for the Abbotts look. But some people like the hypo okeetee. Less or no black but still those super bright reds and oranges. I think the black saddles gives a nice contrast.

I'm not sure if there are striped Oaks? or Vanishing oaks yet? Tim, or some of the other breeds may know. And of course i can not find a picture of my baby. Go to kathy loves site or Don S or Rich Humes sp? Between those 3 you'll see just about everyting.
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ontogeny recapitulate phylogeny

Charlie Mike

God knows all, and as man finds parts of that all, god changes those parts of all. Then he laughs at us!!!
(Me)

1.3 Bearded Dragons (Eenie, Meanie, Minie and Moe is the Male

6 baby female Western hognose, 3.5 adults some friend some mine,,,building breeding stock) All Named George
1 Corn snake (bloodred) 0.2 1 MIA In the house I hope (All corns named Ray Guy
1 baby creamcycle 0.1
2 Okeettes I think? 1.1 youngens
ochrocephala oratrix 0.0.1? Adult, and a killer!
ochrocephala auropalliata 0.0.1? Adult
2.0 Dogs, Michigan, Doc
0.2 Cats,, Sassie and Spooky (all black cat)
0.1 Wives, (Long term captive!,, I mean ME!) I call her (BOSS)
1.1 Kids (Paininthearsius takamemonii) J/K great kids
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tom

www.herpzilla.com

Just my opinion- I've produced pure okeetees for several years. About the only thing you can see for sure when you look at hatchlings is pattern. Is it aberrant or not. Until the hatchlings start to go through their change and color up, you really can't tell which ones will be brighter orange, which ones will be deeper orange, etc. I wouldn't even consider buying okeetees without looking at the parents. Good looking parents are more likely to produce good looking hatchlings. As much as I like my breeders, if you want the thickest black borders, the abbott line is the way to go. Definitely buy them from someone that is reputable. Go right to the breeder and not one of the many resellers that will tell you whatever you want to hear to make the sale. Expect to pay a little more, pure okeetees are worth it.
Like I said, just my opinion.