Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey All,
I was talking to Alan Boshe this weekend, who has some really awesome animals, but I have a question regarding one of his animals at the show. It was what he called a desert ghost, it started out a normal animal he said. When it got to yearling or so size it dropped what looked like att its yellow and brown color. He said it literally lost the color in one shed. Its parents were a wild caught unproven axanthic male to a normal female. He also said he has one from a pied line as well, het for pied and what he is calling the desert ghost. Either way these things look sick. Does anyone have any info they could provide me on this trait? thanks

Will Wohlers

My understanding of the desert ghost is that it is different from what Alan is describing.

I do believe there are at least two lines of desert ghost that look like a sandy ghost color from birth.

Then there are the color changing ball pythons. The change usually does occur in a single shed. My understanding though is that this is currently an uproven trait and seems to pop up randomly. Over time these animals seem to pick up some of their color back but don't ever look a normal.

Not to dispute what Alan said... although both animals look similar, I believe that true desert ghosts are a recessive trait like most ghosts. Other input is welcome.

Justin
www.jkobylkareptiles.com

I haven't spoken with Alan about his animal so I really can't contribute anything as far as his snakes go.
I have had an animal go through a drastic color change in one shed. She maintained this color for the better part of three years. Then she gradually started to gain "normal" pigment. She is pretty darn close to a normal looking ball now. The desert ghost mutation is something completely different than this.

Joe Compel Reptiles - Black and White Ball

this snake went through a color change I call her IMG(increasing melanin growth ) gets darker as they age.


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Vince Pramuk
Vince Pramuk Reptiles

n/p