Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Has anyone proven the calico gene? I mean hatched calicos out from a "het to het" breeding?

Just curious.

Thanks Paul

Calico's haven't been 100% figured out, I don't believe. The calico pattern doesn't come in until the animal has aged some and then it will start to lose pigment. There won't be any baby calicos. The animals NERD is working with have something going on with the genes for sure, whether or not it's been 100% proven calico I'm not sure.

about some "possible" calicos they have for sale on their site. As has already been mentioned, there are no juvenile calicos, atleast that show the trait, so it is extremely hard to tell. Sometimes there are subtle differences in the color and pattern of young retics that can be a possible indicator that they may be calico. I just spoke to someone at NERD a few days ago, and was told that they have a couple tiger retics that display some unusual characteristics. Of course, this doesn't mean that they are 100% going to be calico. The snakes in question were the result of a calico retic x het. calico. I would assume that this is a simple recessive gene, though it is still to early to say for sure. The only way I would purchase one, and I want one badly, would be from a calico x calico breeding. NERD has probably the largest collection of calicos. I would trying contacting them via email or phone. They are very helpful. Here is their website in case you don't have it.

www.newenglandreptile.com