After yrs. of meaning to bring it up I finally am. Hyper means more ie Hyper-tension,Hyper-ventalating. Hypo means less/low ie. Hypo-thermia (low body temps). I know it may be to late to change this word for herps w/ more color, but I had to bring it up.
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Why do they say hypo when it should be hyper......more
Croc 2-3
Jul 14, 2003 02:26 PM
Replies (4)
DRW
Jul 14, 2003 02:29 PM
"Hypo" in snakes normally refers to "Hypomelanism," or a decrease in dark pigment in the skin of the animal. While it may seem "more colorful" to us, it is actually due to the decrease in dark or black pigments producing this effect. Hence, "hypo" is appropriate in this case.
obz
Jul 14, 2003 02:35 PM
yes hypomelanism... melanin (sp) is responsible for black, remove or reduce black from a boa, bam, the appearance of more color (even though its less actualy).
Croc 2-3
Jul 14, 2003 02:50 PM
Thankyou
Josephbcijoe
Jul 15, 2003 03:07 PM
now that i think of it, in that case.... is a true pastel a 'lesser, weaker' form of hypomelanism???
if a pastel by definition is reduced black, which then allows the extra color to show through.... and then the hypo is also 'less black' ... then by definition they are both identical to some extent!??!
so does this mean then that by breeding pastel to pastel over and over you will eventually get hypos - salmon boas - reduced black to this extent??
I know this all sounds crazy... but by definition...???
what do you all think?
you can call me crazy... i don't mind...
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'Tis not the stongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' CharlesDarwin
Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
