Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am interested in working with Axanthics but I have a few questions. Do most of them brown out as adults or do certain lines keep their black and silver coloration? I hate it when snakes looks awesome as babies only to become drab adults. Any help would be great. Thank you!
-----
Ryan Sherman
Scottsdale, Arizona

From what I've heard, the VPI line is the best!

I am biased because I've always liked the VPI line. I have been working with this line since 2004. I have included a picture that I took to help address they issue of color change with age. The largest male in the picture is my original VPI Axanthic that I bought from Brian Barcyzk in 2004. To his right is one of his offspring from 2006. The smallest male in the picture is one of the original Axanthic's offspring from this year. Yes they do get a little bit more (I call it purple color) as they age, but I find them to still be quite distinguishable from a Normal. I hope the picture helps with your question.

-----
Tim and Monica Bailey
Bailey & Bailey Reptiles

You must have been writing this at the same time I was writing a reply below.

I stand corrected now; I have seen one good picture of an axanthic adult!!

~Rebecca
-----
1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa '04
1.1.1 Ball Pythons
[1.0.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1.0 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

I share your pain (hate it when snakes look awesome as babies then turn into drab adults)... but all snakes do that, at least every species I have ever kept (well, I guess except for rat snakes [Elaphe guttata], especially Everglades rat snakes - they turn from drab babies into anyone's guess, but potentially stunning adults).

The best thing you can do to learn to what degree the different axanthic lines brown out (because they all almost certainly do) is to talk to a breeder and look at some full-grown adult breeders - especially the parents of any babies you may be thinking of purchasing. I have always heard great things about the VPI line axanthics, but I have yet to see any good pictures of adult axanthics of any line!

Good luck.
~Rebecca
-----
1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa '04
1.1.1 Ball Pythons
[1.0.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1.0 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

I feel like a moron. That's what I get for rattling off a colubrid scientific name off the top of my head. I said Elaphe guttata and meant Elaphe obsoleta. I realize this is the BP forum, and most people won't care... but it's been over ten years since I worked with just about every colubrid my dad & I could get our hands on; I've got too many of their scientific names swimming around muddled in my head.

Well, Python regius is the important one, right?
-----
1.0.0 Dumeril's Boa '04
1.1.1 Ball Pythons
[1.0.0 '05 Orange Hypo (Specter)]
[0.1.0 '05 Het Orange Hypo (Sylvia)]
[0.0.1 '03 Normal (Sue)]
0.2 American Pit Bull Terriers (40lb darling lap dogs:Brandy&Mara)

This is our VPI Axanthic that just proved out to also be Het-Hypo this year

...on that VPI Axanthic being het Hypo.

You'll certainly have better than 1 in 16 odds in hatching a 'True Ghost'...

Best of Luck.

BB
-----
"Have you hugged your drummer today?" --- Me

congrats guys, that is very cool! Can't wait for pictures of "true ghosts"!!

Regards,
Bristen.
-----
___________________________
www.RoyalGemReptiles.com

...The nices the normal looking animals are in the pairing the nices the adult animal. Be selective, you are spending a lot of money...get what you want.

This is a picture of our nicest VPI Axanthic female at 1800 grams.

That is a nice one.

She is about 1000g. In person she really looks much more "silvery" compared to the photo, which makes her look more browned out. The black/white contrast is noticeable on the sides. That being said, I have seen a lot of very nice adult VPI's.

occasionally throws what is called a "charcoal". These are amazing.
-----
I eat human infants. They, like everything else, taste like chicken. What?

I agree. TSK Charcoals are really unique!
-----
Kyle
www.royalvariations.com

"be safe, be happy and dont let anyone make you afraid" David Coverdale

Alright, you guys just plain rock! Every time I ask a question in this forum I get a huge response, right down to pictures and comparisons. Thanks again to all who replied.
-----
Ryan Sherman
Scottsdale, Arizona