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Pastel? Hypomelanistic?

ssdd666 May 10, 2005 02:49 AM

Im confused... after reading the section on kingsnake about boa morphs Im confused as to the difference between a hypomelanistic and a pastel. From what I understand, they both lack the chemical that produces black colors. But there has to be more to than that... can someone furthur explain this?

Replies (3)

topnotchboas May 10, 2005 08:21 AM

hypos are a single gene mutation (freak of nature), that were found in the wild. They both have different and distinguishable levels of reduced black.

Pastels are more of a refined normal boa.

ChrisGilbert May 10, 2005 08:31 AM

They both do not lack black. Only Amelanistic animals lack black. The Hypomelanistic boas have less melanin, hypo=less.

ssdd666 May 10, 2005 09:19 PM

http://www.kingsnake.com/boamorphs/hypo.htm
Melanin is the pigment that produces the black in snakes... thats why an albino is the way it is... they have no melanin.

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