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Anyone wanna talk about copperheads?? Kinda long.

kottonmouthking Aug 10, 2003 01:29 PM

Hi. Just thought I might bring this up and see if I can learn some things and hopefully start an interesting thread.
Does anyone know anything about copperhead genetics and morphs?
I have an amazing female that I consider to be "pastel". Not hypo because she does have a considerable amount of dark colors (brown and black) around her bands and on her belly. By the way, her checkerboard pattern on her belly is reduced, abberant. And she's chestnut/cinammon colored on top and has a bubble gum pink belly.
I've been looking for a suitable male for her for over a year and a half and it's very obvious that there aren't alot like her. I found a male that I'm hoping to get that exhibits a "ghost" coloration. Very very light banding and almost white background color. I'm just wondering what is known about the possible mutations of copperheads. I've seen hypos and there's and albino on the classifieds. And as far as Agkistrodons go, the albino cottonmouths seem to be getting fairly established. And with what I've seen, the mutations seem to go along the same lines as boas. With albinos, hypos, ghosts. I guess corn snakes too. If you can see how I'm relating that. Those are just what I compare them too. Or is there very minimal mutations in the species and just here and there you get a really odd looking specimen that really has no genetic uniqueness?
I love copperheads. I think they're one of the most interesting species, period. I've had numerous ones from all different subspecies and they always fascinate me. It just seems like it's hard to find anything more than your average northern/southern intergrade from Alabama most of the time. I wish this species would be worked with more and some really nice CB bloodlines be established. But I know since they are hots and there's not alot of available information about them, they seem to be overlooked by many people. Maybe I'll just start the revolution, anyone with me? Haha. I'm not a geek. Just trying to see if anyone out there has the same kind of passion for this species as I do. And I figured this is a good place to do that. Any comments, relative stories, photos or anything at all is appreciated. Please feel free to email me too. (truthseeking911@yahoo.com) You can also email me to see pics of that female southern I have if you're interested in seeing her because I don't know how to post pics here. Thanks alot.

Replies (1)

herpo Aug 14, 2003 11:16 PM

there is a lot of natural variation among copperheads, even among specific populations. Stuff the morph stuff - leave that the the ball python and gecko people.
A minor difference in color or pattern doesn't make a morph.

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