Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a question for the experienced breeders out there. Does the coloration of the hog change with age? ie. fade, getting darker, more coloration, etc...

Also, at what age do you wait until before do you select your holdbacks?

Regards,
Kenny

>>I have a question for the experienced breeders out there. Does the coloration of the hog change with age? ie. fade, getting darker, more coloration, etc...
>>
>>Also, at what age do you wait until before do you select your holdbacks?
>>
>>Regards,
>>Kenny

Actually, I don't think this question is entirely pertinent to having to be a breeder to see the changes in coloration of hatchlings to adults.

But yes, this does happen quite often and it's often interesting to see how drastic the changes can become. Here's a thread where I show exactly what types of color transformations can take place. The irony of my female axanthic is that she darkened up again after several later sheds. I really wish she would have retained that level of lightness as I found it really unique.

But more often than not, babies will go through some type of coloration transformation as they shed, some for the better, some for the worse. I bought this really awesome blond phase female a while back as a yearling and now that she's an adult and being bred, she's darkened up quite a lot but still has a little bit of yellow to at least let me know that it's not all gone away. But as an adult, she's far from the remarkable coloring she used to have.

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Troy Rexroth
Rextiles

I would say it changes more with size. They usually color up when they get bigger.

It depends on how you decide to keep them as to how long it takes. If you keep them warm and feed often, you should know in a few months. If you keep they at room temp if will take much longer.
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If con is the opposite of pro, does that mean congress is the opposite of progress??

I select my holdbacks based on pattern at a very young age. But based on color, I would have to agree with the others about color changing. You should begin to notice color improvements when the snakes reach 50 grams or so. This is the time I begin to look for desireable colors and get a collection of holdbacks.

Hope this helps.

KR

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Thank you,
Kevin Rhodes
http://www.freewebs.com/spreptile/hognose.htm

Good to know that here's still hope for the the hog i received today. I have my fingers crossed for her color up after a few more sheds. Right now, she is only 11 grams and does not look as nice as i expected.

Thank you all for the replies. You guys have def. answered my questions and given me hope

For me, as far as color goes, most of the hogs I get get a bit more color with age. Especially the Extreme Red line. Ive got a little 100% het extreme red male that is so intense I think he may be turning purple. lol.

Not sure about hold backs. Since I just got my first clutch - but Im expecting 5 so hopefully I can chime in after a few doubles