Reptile & Amphibian Forums

So I picked up this male about 6 months ago. I was wondering, where I could find others like him? in my eyes, he's one of the most stunning GB's out there, I do not care that he has no lacality information, I just would love to find a female that looks like him. Also, is this an actual melanistic trait coming into play, where none of his offsrping will come out dark when bred to a lighter female, or is this just a heavily pigmented snake, and I may possibly see some darker offspring? I am highly familiar with genetics, but have not been able to find much info regarding this phenotype of alterna. If I cannot find the right mate... I will probably sell him.

Anther question... I was sold an adult "female" that I suspect to be a male at the last hamburg show. I say that because when I placed the two together very recently (because I was beginning to have second thoughts about the snake's tail), the "female" began to follow the male around and was wrapping "her" coils around the male, it looked an AWFUL lot like a combat ritual. If this is true... I am taking it back next show and demanding a refund.

but anyways... here is a picture of my lovely black male!

>>So I picked up this male about 6 months ago. I was wondering, where I could find others like him? in my eyes, he's one of the most stunning GB's out there, I do not care that he has no lacality information, I just would love to find a female that looks like him. Also, is this an actual melanistic trait coming into play, where none of his offsrping will come out dark when bred to a lighter female, or is this just a heavily pigmented snake, and I may possibly see some darker offspring? I am highly familiar with genetics, but have not been able to find much info regarding this phenotype of alterna. If I cannot find the right mate... I will probably sell him.
>>
>>Anther question... I was sold an adult "female" that I suspect to be a male at the last hamburg show. I say that because when I placed the two together very recently (because I was beginning to have second thoughts about the snake's tail), the "female" began to follow the male around and was wrapping "her" coils around the male, it looked an AWFUL lot like a combat ritual. If this is true... I am taking it back next show and demanding a refund.
>>
>>but anyways... here is a picture of my lovely black male!
>>

If you find another just like it and breed them,there is no guarantee the offspring produced will look like the adults. The thing about alterna is that you can get one or more that look like that, none that look like that, darker ones or lighter ones. Good luck.
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Steve W.

There are many of us that admire and sometimes prefer dark phase animals. I really like them. My hunting buddy really likes them as well. It is jaw dropping to see some of the animals that are black or dark grey with neon orange or red. That is why so many xmas animals are popular. We have a north sanderson animals that is black and orange. I love him. Lance has a xmas that is black and orange. Grey on Black animals or Black on Black animals are neat as well...

Good luck on your quest for pairing...

Best Wishes,

SXO792

I've got a female from Black Gap that is very similar to your male but don't want to part with her. Really don't want to breed her to a non Black Gap male but yours is the closest in appearance to mine. Too bad you couldn't get any locality info. Sure looks like a southern Brewster co. snake to me.. Best of luck in your quest. Brad A.

it's alright... I think he is one of the few non- garter snakes I am going to be keeping... need to make room for more thamnophis... I like him SO much I think I shall treasure him as a pet, and if I stumble upon a female... so be it!