Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This was taken at night when he shows the best non-stress colors. Now that you've seen him at his darkest and lightest, what do you think? Still not a possible hypo?
Thanks-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929

Outstanding!
But not a hypo.

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I have never noticed rainbow boas change colour at night time, am I just a poor observer?

If that picture shows its genuine colours, than it certainly is not a normal. It is quite clear that it has some form of skin pigment deformity.

It doesn't seem like a standard hypo, because in it's 'dark' stage, it seems 'too' dark to be a hypo. However, it could be another type of hypo, or a similar gene to the 'Caramel' in corn snakes. There are 3 types of known 'hypo' in corn snakes, along with other oddities which no-body really knows about, such as Lavenders and Caramels. This oddball rainbow could be along those lines.

The only thing you can really do is breed it back to its mother or father, and prove it to be genetic. If it proves out, than give it a name and start to market it. In the meantime, there is little point in trying to figure it out.
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Regards
Chris Jones
Chris Jones Reptiles

I bred him to this female in 02'. I was at first disapointed when all 13 babies looked like her. But, I took it as an opportunity to see if his color is genetic in a mendelian sense. I kept back one male that had the best pattern and color- has similar highlighted laterals like the father, but still very dark in color. Also kept one female to do a line breed back to the father- we'll see next year if this is a real deal or my pipe-dream.
Thanks-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929

Chris,
. My Colombian Rainbows and some of my Brazilian Rainbows go through big color changes. When they turn light it is usually at night. Like Carl says, it is an outstanding looking healthy Colombian Rainbow but it is not a hypo. It is well within the range of normal color variations for Colombian Rainbows.
Jeff

>>I have never noticed rainbow boas change colour at night time, am I just a poor observer?
>>
>>If that picture shows its genuine colours, than it certainly is not a normal. It is quite clear that it has some form of skin pigment deformity.
>>
>>It doesn't seem like a standard hypo, because in it's 'dark' stage, it seems 'too' dark to be a hypo. However, it could be another type of hypo, or a similar gene to the 'Caramel' in corn snakes. There are 3 types of known 'hypo' in corn snakes, along with other oddities which no-body really knows about, such as Lavenders and Caramels. This oddball rainbow could be along those lines.
>>
>>The only thing you can really do is breed it back to its mother or father, and prove it to be genetic. If it proves out, than give it a name and start to market it. In the meantime, there is little point in trying to figure it out.
>>-----
>>Regards
>>Chris Jones
>> Chris Jones Reptiles

I'm not sure if this is what your talking about but ,if your talking about thick bright white lines along each side of the snakes body these are perfectly normal night colors for the majority of brb's.At least mine show this all the time.hypo should exhibit almost no black and a dull ground color.I don't have any but I think I've sold some in the past-cheap- because I thought they were not as attractive as the others. Thanks, Jeff

..........

I appreaciate all of the feedback. Although, I will have to disagree with those that think this CRB is normally colored. Granted, my CRB experience is limited to around 30, but they are almost always some form of chocolate red. I'm sure you guys noticed the normal pigment of the female and her offpring above. He is difinately more orange than brick- which involves changing the levels of black pigment. I wouldn't go so far as to call him hypo.. until I prove it out, but I'm leaning in that direction. He's more like a hypo than other hypo/patternless" I've seen. I'll keep everyone abreast on what turns out next year.. either way its well worth it.
Thanks-
Matt Schubarth
Pet Nebula
2100 Stephens #116
Missoula, Montana 59801
406 541 9929

PS- Jeff, you mentioned above that you have CRB's that are as lightly colored as this male, I would love to see some pics.

Thats interesting. Although, if this snake is well within the range of a Columbian natural colour change, do you have photos of any that have gone to this extreme?

I am by no means knocking anyone, I am just intrigued. My rainbow boa experience is very minimal, and I am here to learn, but that seems to me just 'too' unusual to be a normal.

Ofcourse, as stated before, it needs to be bred further to prove genetic.

With this kind of snake, whatever the species, it is a keeper. When it comes to my sand boas, I have come across many which are just 'damn nice', some may or may not prove genetic, but at the end of the day, I will have a stunning group of adults. This could be the case with this rainbow.

Good luck with it anyway.
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Regards
Chris Jones
Chris Jones Reptiles

I'm not an expert but my favorite snakes for long time has been CRB, and I have seen a lot of them in the wild and captive breed, there is a lot of variation in color and pattern for these cenchria sub-specie, for me your CRB is a really outstanding specimen but not an hypo, just my opinion

....I don't see any black. Whatever you call it, it's awesome!
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JMHO, FWIW, YMMV.