Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am quite sure this topic has been brought up a few times, but i have only known of this site for a few months. I was just wondering how snakes such as naja kouthia become so popular in albino form. I figured this is because people have maybe spent more time breeding to get this mutation or morph, not sure which is the appropriate word. I guess my question is, why dont we see other species in albino form? Is it because other species are more difficult to breed to get albino offspring. I know you have to have blood work done sometimes to see if a certain snake has the gene mutation for albino. Any answers would be appreciated.

Naja kaouthia have been bred in far greater numbers then say naja naja. So after so long of captive breeding a freak of nature appears. If the albino has pro-dominate genes when it is bred with a normal snake a few more will usually come out albino. The offspring are then bred with a new bloodline to prevent inbreeding which spreads the albino form. Hope this anwsers your question.
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1.1.0 cornsnake
1.0.0 red iguana
1.0.0 green iguana
1.0.0 ball python
1.0.0 ornate box turtle
0.0.11 painted turtles
1.0.0 tokay gecko
0.0.1 armadillo lizard
1.0.0 red sided plated lizard
1.0.0 pixie frog

So one could say if, for instance, that one of these days we could see an albino bitis of some sort, because as far as breeding goes they have to be out front as far as numbers. Just assuming there isn't a whole lot more than that. Because the numbers of gabbies, rhinos, and puffs are quite impressive. Your answer did help thanks.

More often than not an albino is found in the wild and then bred in captivity to promote the trait. Someone just needs to find an albino bitis and start breeding them. However, it sounds like most Bitis species range in areas where you can be killed on the spot and therefore little research or collection is done on them. Species that are commonly seen imported are more likely to have an albino imported.
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"I'll be back at 6 if not 7. 8 the very latest but definatly no later than 9...ish...Moscow time."

the Albino gene is almost always inherited in a simple recessive manor. This would mean that the Albino specimen would have to be bred to a normal to produce a litter of 100% het for albino babys, then those babys would have to be bred together or to the Albino parent to produce Albinos. Hope this helps. Vinnie

It definitely helped clear up some confusing aspects regarding the albino trait. Thanks