Normally when the saddles get so thin as to break up and go away, the "wing" portions of the sadlle run together to form a thick side stripe. But this one just has a thin side stripe, and many of the wing stayed intact. They look like little triangles hanging off a line. I've done a little study on the patterns on animals, and I have a theory that the base pattern of boas and pythons is a series of stripes. Genetic factors act on these stripes to break them up into the patterns we see, such as saddles. When the modifying factors are reduced, the remaining pattern reverts back to stripes. We are seeing the same thing happening in blood pythons. If you ever see a boa missing the side medallions, turn it over and see if it doesn't have thick striping on the belly. Have you noticed the lateral white stripe on the tails of laextreme laddertails? I would be willing to bet that the common ancestors of boas and pythons were striped. For that matter, how do we know that the dinosaurs weren't striped? With stuff like this weighing on me is it any wonder I have so little free time?
Miller Reptiles
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An interesting freak...
Replies (9)
You can see the triangles a little better here.
On these little Brazilians you can see the wings stretching out, trying to touch the other wings to form stripes.
Miller Reptiles
n/p
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Ashley Lopez's Black Forest Constrictors.
Great theory- I never thought of it that way. You are probably correct!!!
Your theory does make a lot of sense. One thing's for sure though - that animal is killer!---------RON
These are some of my Nicaraguan Boas. I have 1.1 adults that came in from the wild a few years ago....
This is a great look for boas!!!
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~ ASK ME ABOUT MY BALLS ~
Same male....
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I love these snakes!!!
Jared H
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~ ASK ME ABOUT MY BALLS ~
Yes, that looks the same as far as the triangles. But I noticed a difference in yours. Mine has a single thin line that the triangles are hanging off of, while yours has two thin lines. It looks like what is happening in yours is that the little white splotches in the wings are connecting to form another stripe, splitting the side stripe into two stripes. In all the "patternless" South Brazilians with I've produced, I don't think I've ever seen that. Neat stuff.
