Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering what other folks preferences were on the topic of color morphs (hypo,albino,etc) vs natural color variants. I prefer a nice colored "normal" to most of the morphs out there, but it seems as if color morphs are all the rage. This doesn't have to pertain to only kings, any species is o.k. Just wondering what others thought.

Todd

>>I was wondering what other folks preferences were on the topic of color morphs (hypo,albino,etc) vs natural color variants. I prefer a nice colored "normal" to most of the morphs out there, but it seems as if color morphs are all the rage. This doesn't have to pertain to only kings, any species is o.k. Just wondering what others thought.
>>
>>Todd
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Just because I have been breeding for so long the normals got boring. Its nice to see new stuff.

Im kind of at a draw. I like some morphs, but natural looks are often great. I love the mountain kings, but I dont care for applegate pyros or the albinos. Natural is better. I also like black and white calis. I dont care for reduced black or reverse stripe, but I do like some of the albinos, banded more than stripe. Albino gophers are cool, but I like northern pines more, and I like them natural, not albino. I like dark colors a lot so I may not be as drawn to albinos as others. There are some really cool morphs out there, but there are so many beautiful naturals that it comes down to more of specific species and which morph for me. Whatever I think looks best!

Hi,
I also like the "normal" color better than moprhs.The only exception is hypos. I think hypos are the best looking snake out of any species. They are still normal colors but its that the color is like a day glow look instead, just amplifying the normal colors. For instance, the hypo hondurans. Also with the sentz line hypo pyros. Another really nice hypo morph that i just saw was the Chinease Beauty snake-( i saw pic posted by Kathy Love in the rat snake forum, its a nice looking hypo snake). Just think, if all the hondurans-(especially nice tangerines) were anerythristic to startw ith, and then all of sudden there was this super nice red-orange tangerine hondo-(a normal tangerine today) popped up, it would be madness,lol. Thats what i think anyways. Most albino tri-colors remind me of Ruthveni though-(and alot of them probally have that blood in them, I originally thought the pyros were probally a result of that, but after seeing all the pics of albinos from the BHB line and the BHB hypos too, I have no reason to think they are not pure at all, as they have 100% pyro look to them) anyways, good topic I think.
Jeff Teel

Like some morphs, Loooove normals!
~Roo
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"Klaatu...Verata...Nicht--cough, cough, cough!"

Usually an outstanding normal is best. Show me a corn snake morph better looking than a good Okeetee. However there are some morphs I'd take over a normal. I'd take a bannana king over a normal coastal and I'd take a bumble bee ball python over a normal BP.(that's assuming $$ is no object)

I don't know if hypos are considered true morphs as they are of wild occuring colors and patterns but they are often more attractive than norms. Perhaps they are the best of both worlds as they are normals just brighter. I also do enjoy seeing pics of Brandon's and Keiths spectacular brooksi's and would take one of those over just about anything.

As a general rule though it's hard to beat what mother nature has given us.

I wonder if 10s of thousands of years ago if dog breeders sat in their caves discussing which morph of wolf and coyote they thought was the best and what would they think now seing poodles and golden retreivers and [bleep]zus. Who knows where snake breeding will take us in the years to come.

I am with you. Its like "Oh, It...is.. another albino, aberrant, white sided, amelanistic, pastel, candy-cane..yeah, really....uh..really..uh.. great!"
I don't understand it either.
Matt

m

Actually I love viable wild populations but as far as keeping goes I have a very specific eye. Some wild phenotypes are more attractive than others and some morphs are butt ugly. What I've never gotten is ascribing a high value to a new morph just because its new and rare. If its not attractive to my eye I don't see the point. As an example I really like the hypo brooks but I would imagine a hypo eastern would be significantly less attractive than wild types. In any case there is enough of us in the hobby to cover all bases and I appriciate all efforts as long as they don't through stones at what others are doing. Blanket statements like "I hate all morphs" generally turn me off to what the individual has to say on the matter.

Also, I would imagine that king keepers are generally attracted to the high contrast pattern exhibited by most forms. As morphs generally reduce such contrast they are probably not received by king enthusiasts as well as those who go for other colubrids. Just a secondary thought.

Thanks for all the input. Looks like the results are pretty evenly split, with natural maybe having a slight edge. The great thing about herps is that there is something out there for everyone. I think that whatever makes the keeper happy is the way to go. I wasn't trying to put down color morphs, just wanted to get some other opinions. Thanks for sharing and feel free to add more.

Todd

I think that those of us keeping snakes long enough have seen so many NICE normals that they tend to be "blah"after a while.There is nothing like something NEW AND SEXY to stoke the fires of bored keepers,lol.That is not to say that morphs are better,but we all could use some strange now and again)Jeff

Are you comparing "wives" to the natural snakes and the "supermodels" to the morphs? If so, I can see that. Wives having that natural beauty. And supermodels trying to be beautiful. Bleached blonde hair, implants, anorexic, and oh so smart. Don't get me wrong, some supermodels are beautiful but most look plastic. I'll take natural beauty anyday.

err I mean super model? Probably not!

Yes I have. I used to have a bunch of different Corns...butters, caramels, anerythristics, amelanistics, motleys, etc. I still think they're cool but I have always liked the normals best. The natural variation among the normals seem to appeal to me especially since I've seen so many in the wild. I've seen some butt ugly dark Corns and some really outstanding looking ones so that has always kept me fascinated. Then I see these CB morphs and they just look so "manmade" to me. Guess I just have a thing for natural beauty.

..then send me that ugly manmade florida king you hatched out

Manmade? It came from a wild caught Florida King.

They came from wildcaught adults

so did my Peanut Butters, so did the hypos, so did the axanthics ect ect. Maybe its the f1 and f2 generations you consider manmade?

All the variations in Corns came from wild caught parents too. But I highly doubt you're going to find a Butter Motley in the wild. That I consider manmade. It is a morph that most likely would never be found naturally.

Okay so its double het recessives genes that you consider manmade, correct? Any single reccessive morph is okay and still natural? I am just trying to understand not only your reasoning but everyone elses.
I am beginning to think that money dictates what people like. Just like the supermodel analogy. From a percentage (%) standpoint most of the better looking women can get any man so they choose to settle down with a guy who can support them well. Its seems the average "natural beauties" settle down with blue collar guys. Those thinner sexier attractive types choose a man with a professional vacation or successful bussiness. It also appears those herpers who make some change also like the high end stuff more.

Okay so its double het recessives genes that you consider manmade, correct?

Pretty much. I don't think anyone has ever found something like a Butter Motley Corn in the wild...at least one that wasn't a released/escaped pet.

Any single reccessive morph is okay and still natural?

If it's found naturally, yes. Like the amel. and anery. Corns. They were, and still are found naturally. Now when someone breeds say a Amel. FL King into a normal Eastern to start producing Amel. Easterns, then I have a problem.

I am beginning to think that money dictates what people like.

Not me. I go for what I think looks best. Everyone has their own opinions...their own likes and dislikes. And to me, the way snakes exist naturally is what I find the most intriguing. I'm really into Eastern Kings and each time I find one, I love noticing how different it may be from every other one I've seen.

Hey,I am a guy,I like options.Jeff

I like Natural....unless it is abberant naturally! Seems to me to be a better prize when you find that "exceptional snake..instead of breeding it.

Best catches: a leucistic Dekay Brown, A naturally stripped Fla King.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."