Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello... i'm looking for info on the "Ultra" hypo corn snakes

I) When Ultras are bred to Amels (T-) what's the result?

II) Are all the babies UltraAmels??

III) Has there been normal, non morph corns ("hets".) produced when "Ultras" are bred to Amels (T-)?

IV) If "hets" are produced (non-visual morphs):

a) what is the result of breeding "het" x Ultra

b) what is the result of breeding "het" x UltraAmels

V)When you breed UltraAmels X UltraAmel what is the result?

something similar to this occurs in Florida kingsnakes and i'm trying to grasp a better understanding of it

thanx

~ZF
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Royal ReptileZ

I looked up the same stuff when curious about Ultra - it seems that Ultramel X Ultramel produces some of each, I'm guessing in the 25% homo ultra, 25% home amel, and 50% ultramel liklihood - but I've not seen that confirmed.

Have any of the (brooksi) jelly x jelly clutches hatched yet?

I have seen it confirmed, though I don't remember where (I think on the corn snake forum frequented by ACR users), that homo ultra X homo amel = all young being Ultramel.

It supposedly can sometimes be difficult to tell homo ultra from Ultramel - but I think there is a difference in the eyes.
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11.14 L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
2.3 L. getula nigrita (MBK)
1.0 L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
1.1 Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
0.1 Heterodon nasicus nasicus (W Hognose)
4.2.14 Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

Thanx for the info...

"Jelly" x "Jelly" has not been done as yet... i'm hoping to do the pairing myself next season... i believe the originator if planing the same...

what's interesting about the "Jellies" is that when "Peanut butter" (hypo type II) is bred to Amel (T-) a lone "het"/Normal was produced both years the "Jellies" were bred.

i have the 1st jelly "het?" and it's a female so i'll be doing some test breeding with her

~ZF
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Royal ReptileZ

I am not an expert on these but I did get a thorough explanation when I was looking at potentially getting into them. I will ignore the T- part of the amel questions as to my knowledge there is only one amelanistic gene currently in corns.

I) When Ultras are bred to Amels (T-) what's the result?

A) ultramel x amel = 1/2 amel, 1/2 ultramel
ultra(homo) x amel = all ultramel

II) Are all the babies UltraAmels??

A) look above to part I's answer

III) Has there been normal, non morph corns ("hets".) produced when "Ultras" are bred to Amels (T-)?

A) No, as the answer to question I shows any crossing of ultra or ultramel to a amel corn produces only ultramels or amels.

IV) If "hets" are produced (non-visual morphs):

A) N/A as "hets" are not produced

V)When you breed UltraAmels X UltraAmel what is the result?

A) Ultramel x Ultramel = 1/4 Ultra(homo), 1/4 amel(homo), 1/2 Ultramel

Basically all you need to understand for the ultra gene morphs is that it is co-allelic with the amel gene and it is a recessive gene. This means that if the snake has one ultra gene and one amel gene then both traits are exhibited to a degree AKA Ultramels. But if only one ultra gene is present and no amel gene is present then it will just be a normal corn het for ultra. Likewise if it is het amel but does not have the ultra gene then it will be a normal het amel corn.

The Ultra gene is a form of hypomelanism that is co-allelic with amelanism. Co-allelic means that both traits occupy the same genetic space. This is why it is impossible to have a amel(homo) be het or homo for ultra. Likewise it is impossible for a ultra(homo) to be het or homo for amel. There is only space for two genes at that spot so the possibilities are ultra(homo), amel(homo), or ultramel. If you keep this in mind then the genetic ratio of ofsprings I listed above should make sence.

Hope this was helpful.

Sean.

Thanx.. it was helpful...

~ZF
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Royal ReptileZ