Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just recently acquired a blonde Trans Pecos rat and was wondering if this snake truly is a blonde? I always imagined them to be a lot yellower. Also, would be the outcome if I crossed a silver with a blonde?

NT

That one looks like a normal Trans pecos rat to me. Also, if you were to cross blondes and silvers you would get normals that are double het for blonde and silver. I'm pretty sure that's correct, but perhaps one of the genetic experts could verify that.

That is correct. A Blonde crossed with a Silver will produce offspring that appear normal but carry alleles for both Blonde and Silver (double het). I currently have a juvenile 1.1 pair that are double het, and I am anxiously awaiting the day they are breedable. Technically, with a Double Het/Double Het cross, there should be offspring that display both Silver AND Blonde!! Should look almost like a patternless irridescence... atleast, that's what I'm guessing. I've never seen one display both traits! Can't wait!

By the way, the picture you posted is not showing up on my computer. Don't know if you removed it, or it's a bad file or what. If you get it back up, or want to e-mail it to me, let me know. Take care...
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-JH

1.0 Amel Corn
1.0 Dot-Dash Cal King
0.1 50/50 Cal King
1.1 Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes
0.1 Spotted Python
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Bullsnake
0.0.1 Texas Long-nose
1.1 Bearded Dragons

I've never seen one display both traits! Can't wait!

Below are some photos of my blonde axanthic female. I was under the impression that most axanthics on the market were also blonde? I've seen them called "platinum blonde" on occasion. I'd like to see a photo of a non-blonde axanthic if anyone has one... I don't think I've ever seen one before.

Blonde, and blonde axanthic hatchlings:

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Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

The way I learned it, a true blonde phase is just a form of hypomelanism. This reduces the appearance of the pattern, and it also makes the yellow stand out better in the background color (no black to wash it out). Silvers, I was told, were axanthics (no yellow pigmentation). So, technically speaking, it would still have a dark dorsal pattern.

I agree with the fact that it doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of since for a "silver" to look silver in color if the black pigmentation is not also reduced. However, since it is possible, it can be concluded that there is only a very small amount of black pigmentation in the background color (as apposed to the dorsal pattern).

So, from what I've seen, read, and heard, not all silvers are blondes. However, you may be correct that "platinum blondes" are indeed the term for TPRs displaying both silver and blonde traits. The pictures you posted are more or less what I expected a double homozygote to look like. And they are beautiful!!

Also, check out the links below to see some silvers that are obviously NOT blonde (too much black). They are not my pictures, so I didn't want to post them here. Again, this is just what I've learned for myself. I don't pretend to know everything... regardless of what my girlfriend says! Take care...

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

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-JH

1.0 Amel Corn
1.0 Dot-Dash Cal King
0.1 50/50 Cal King
1.1 Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes
0.1 Spotted Python
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Bullsnake
0.0.1 Texas Long-nose
1.1 Bearded Dragons

Thanks for the help. What exactly is a double homo? I know what a double het is, is that what you meant? Double homo for what?

Well, a double het is an animal that carries both the dominant AND recessive alleles for TWO separate traits (Ex- AaBb). Neither is expressed. A double homozygote would be an animal that carries AND expresses both genes (Ex- AABB or aabb). It's more of a genotypic description than anything else. Usually it is referred to by the traits expressed, not the genes themselves (Ex.- Blizzard Cornsnake rather than Amelanistic Charcoal Cornsnake). I guess I just make things too difficult sometimes! Thanks for keeping me in check...
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-JH

1.0 Amel Corn
1.0 Dot-Dash Cal King
0.1 50/50 Cal King
1.1 Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes
0.1 Spotted Python
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Bullsnake
0.0.1 Texas Long-nose
1.1 Bearded Dragons

Oh, and the pictures I was referring to were those posted by ronda. They would be double homozygotes, showing both silver and blonde phases.

As for the original post, it looks to be a normal TPR that is showing more yellow than tan. Don't let that take anything away from her (or him), it's a gorgeous animal and one you will be very pleased with. Take care...
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-JH

1.0 Amel Corn
1.0 Dot-Dash Cal King
0.1 50/50 Cal King
1.1 Trans-Pecos Rat Snakes
0.1 Spotted Python
0.0.1 Ball Python
0.0.1 Bullsnake
0.0.1 Texas Long-nose
1.1 Bearded Dragons

Huh, that's weird it still comes up on the other forum I posted the pic. If the pic doesn't come up again, follow the link and it should work. So, no one has crossed a double het? That sounds like something people would be itching to do. How much do silvers and blonds go for? This one was sold to me by a guy that said it was a "Blond Screamer!!" That's what you get for buying snakes over the internet with no pics. It also came in with a small respiratory infection and regurged in the shipping bag. I also ordered a pair of 100% het albino Nelson's milks and the male arrived dead. Go figure!

here

That snake is just a normal looking TPR. It appears you were either ripped off or there was some sort of miscommunication about exactly what you were buying.

I hope for your sake it is at least CB, not just some wild caught bogey someone pulled off a road somewhere.
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Chris Harrison