Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if there's a difference between "pink skin" and "leucistic" turtles. I've seen turtles labeled as "pink skin" and others labeled as "leucistic". Well I'm planning to get an ally snapper that is labeled "pink skin/leucistic". I was a bit confused. Are pink skins and leucistics the same thing?

The reason I ask is because I found some ally snappers labeled as "pink skin" for $40 as opposed to the one labeled as "pink skin/leucistic" for $150. Big difference in price! I want a true leucistic. If pink skin is the same as leucistic then I'm buying the $40 turtles. By the way, both turtles have dark eyes. Thanks in advance.

Be careful of the so called "Pink Skins" because I've heard of people buying this and as they grow, they turn dark brown like the regular snappers. Best way to know is ask for a picture of the parents.

You are taking a big risk because it's hard to tell which one will retain its light coloration. Maybe that's why there's a big difference in price.

I paid a lot of money from John for mine a while ago. It was really pink when I got it. ($250 i think)
Its a great looking turtle and I'm glad I got it from him. Was pretty intense pink when it was small, more so if I fed it things with krill.
Now over the past year, its lost most of its pink. Its more of a buttery light yellow. Almost cream colored I'd have to say.
I have it in with 3 other regulars , and its wuite a bit different.
They also grow slower, are more delicate and prone to things.Mine is less aggressive with food also.
The herp vet I took it to said that these are all traits of forms of recessive genetics like albinos and things. Nature makes them weaker and less aggressive. Also the lighter shell makes them more of a choice to predators. Keeps the species cleaner by eliminating "defective" genetics or abnormalities. Thats why you almost never see the light adults. Nature trys to make sure they never get that far.
Anyway, a cool turtle. I'll try to get a picture.

Do you consider the snapper you got from John a "pink skin" or a "leucistic"? John Richards (TurtleMan) calls them "leucistic" but it sounds like you got a "pink skin". Maybe "pink skin" and "leucistic" are the same?

The only difference between a normal Turtle and a Albino ( or any other morph ) is the absence of proteins that synthesize a certain color. Stuff like problem feeders, shy feeders, hatch rates etc. are bloodline traits that 95% of the time have nothing to do with the animals color mutation. It is only compounded when a animal is line bred. Sorry this is kind of off subject, but its kind of a pet peeve of mine when someone puts the blame on a color mutation instead of the history behind the animal

I disagree.

i would be inclined to say if john richards says the pinkskin or hypo snappers turn yellow as adult, thats what you'll get. one turtle farm i talked to said that the pinkskins makeup only 5% of the clutch and hatch a month later than the rest. but to answer your question i dont think there's difference. i think a true leucistic(solid white turtle) would go for much more than $150.

I think when I got it, john called it "pinkskin"
just for conversation.
I know some people have negative things to say about John, but i like the guy and get along with him really well.
My turtle was really intense pick when he was small. (tiny)
Now there's really no more pink at al.
Steve, did yours keep the pink?

I've been seeing people say that John is not the nicest person in the world and why is that?

Maybe bad experiences or something. Don't know. I like the guy.

And I have great turtles from him.