Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I wanted to know if any one could tell me what piebald markers there are... I got my first ball python and she has 2 lines that run on each side of her belly... I was told that was a piebald marker... Basically what I wanted to know if there were others? Thanks all!

Heather

Go to this http://www.nextworldexotics.com/hg.htm and then click on hunters gide OK. thanks David of DS Reptile Rescue

Those belly markers are indicators for "piebald" ALONG with other phases! The "kicker" is, it's NOT 100% accurate! So if you just came across a ball with these markers and it wasn't supposed to be at least a "poss", you have no idea what you have AND quite possibly you have a "normal"! Breed it out and see!

Heather - This topic is kinda controversial.

Some people totally disregard the "marker" theory, others (myself included) think that there has been more than just coincidence involved? I think it fasinating either way.

Also, it seems that when people breed 50 or 66%ers, they keep back the ones that have the markers by the snakes vent.

Randy Remington has been following this (and anything else genetic in nature)for the last few years and always gives the best break-down of this topic, ImHO.

Also, with the cost of het-pieds coming down in price, the marker theory seems to have become less important when you can get a 100% male for $125.

Thick black line of scales that run down both sides of the stomach usually the lower third or more. Three scale wide white belly between.

There are plenty of normals that carry the same trait. IMO it's just a phenotype that has been bred into the pied line - but what do I know - LOL. To date no one has really done any thorough studies on the percentages of times that the "marker" appears and the snake does or does not turn out to be het pied.

Good luck.
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Tosha

is the writing on it's record card that says "het pied" from the breeder you get them from.............

.....it isn't really going to happen that you can just find a het pied too much in the bush baby world....

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Last year i breed an extra male 100% het pieds to a bunch of girls. We ended up keeping back all the females, at least 50-75 % of the litters in total had "markers" We did keep them all back however markers or no markers, They wont be breeding this season but possibly the next season to one of our pied males, i think we ended up keeping back 12 or so females, i will post again when they breed and document which ones proved and which ones had markers, just as a fun experiment, ill let you know what happens down the line
Kim
N.A.R.C