Was told about the thread below concerning the origin of the "Super Hypo" lineage. The "Super Hypo" name was the name I gave the project that we began in 1995. I originally initiated the name "Super Hypo Extreme Tangerine" in the first 2 years of the development but then condensed the name to "Super Hypo" ( catchy name, less wordy). The commentary below from my website gives most of the background information of description and origin. The "Super Hypo" strain is unrelated to the Bill Love hypo strain but is genetically compatable with the hypo gene. The photo posted is of one of the original "Osborne Super Hypos".
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"SUPER HYPO" HONDURAN MILK SNAKES - The most sought-after genetic trait available among the multiple color and pattern morphs of Honduran Milk Snakes. The "Super Hypo" genetic trait combines all of the best features of an extreme version Tangerine Honduran Milk Snake with the hypomelanistic gene. There are a total of 10 to 13 pre-vent orange bands that can measure at least 5 inches wide in 5 foot adults. The black bands begin relatively narrow in width mid-dorsally and are generally interrupted and replaced by orange along the lower lateral sides. This strain is also distinguished by stunning shades of tangerine coloration in both the "Super Hypo" and heterozygous "Super Hypo" specimens. The hypomelanistic trait is a simple recessive gene that inhibits the black tipping in the tangerine bands that is typical in normal Hondurans. The hypo trait also affects the color of the black bands, resulting in a bluish or gray-black coloration that is most pronounced in hatchlings and juveniles. Some encroachment of black tipping may occur in hypomelanistic specimens with age, predominantly in the narrow tangerine band. This strain originates from a wild caught "Super Hypo" heterozygous male imported in 1986. Although it is unrelated to the Bill Love strain of hypomelanistic Hondurans, it was determined that it is genetically compatible with the Love strain from an outbreeding we accomplished in 1996.
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The name "Extreme Hypo" is highly appropriate in my opinion for the Mike Falcon lineage. I began using the word "extreme" in the mid 1990's in an attempt to emphasize and describe color and/or pattern characteristics that were way outside the average examples that existed for different varieties.
Steve Osborne
PROFESSIONAL BREEDERS
