Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi everyone,
I have been reading all your posts for a while now, but this is my first attempt at posting anything. I hope I am attaching a picture of my cape gopher to this message. I was wondering... if I was to breed my striped cape to a "normal" patterned cape, what would I most likely get? Is the stripe gene going to show, or would the babies just be het for it? I don't have a female cape yet, so I was wondering.
I appreciate any info.
Thanks,
Janel

Hi Janel,
I've never seen one with a full stripe before. He's very cool looking. What's his story? Breeding him with a normal female would most likely produce normal/het offspring, but the only way to be sure is to breed him. Either way the striped pattern looks genetic so definitely get him some females. I believe Ron has one for sale in the classifieds. I would also seriously consider breeding him with an albino. The albino Capes are still rare and striped albinos will be even more impressive. Great pic, post more if you can.
Good Luck,
Nima

Thanks. It was so exciting to go on line today and see someone responded to my post and pic.
The striping should be genetic. I got him at an IRBA show in San Diego a few years ago. I don't remember who I purchased him from (because back then that kind of stuff didn't matter to me-I just thought he was really cool). I went to the show especially to find a cape gopher, and he was the only kind of cape gopher at the show (that I could find anyway). The seller had several adult snakes that looked like him and he had several babies(all males) so it must be genetic. He has the coolest big dark eyes! My friend actually snagged his prettier brother while I was standing there trying to decide if I was going to buy one. I have been bummed about that ever since (I am a slow decision maker-darn it) Unfortunately the one my friend had has passed away, but I am glad to have mine. I love gopher snakes!
Janel

I pretty sure the Striped Caped gene is a simple recessive trait , so I beleive you would get normal offspring het for stripe.
I had a striped cape a few years ago , I too got mine at the IRBA Show in San Diego back in 97 . I never did breed him .
I traded mine a few yews ago , its good to see that there is some still out there .
Great looking snake you have .

Jason

I have several gophers (4 sonorans, and 2 pacifics, and the one cape). I have noticed that the cape gopher has been growing soooo much slower than the others. The sonorans are much bigger. Are cape gophers usually on the smaller size? Mine has never been a great eater, he refuses food a lot. He also seems a bit more stressed out than the others (a lot more tail vibrating and of course that lovely hissing) After reading hundreds of the posts in this forum over the last few weeks (I've become addicted-what a freak!) I have changed his set-up and put him by himself. I used to keep him with my other little gophers. Maybe solo he will be more relaxed and be a better eater. That's what I'm hoping for anyway.

Janel