Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just wondering if on different snakes like ball and reticulated pythons if the lavender/purple albinos have thinner skin and that what gives them the illusion of having lavender or purple skin where the melin usually is? I can't find anything explaining why those colors occur.

Thanks!
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Jason

This is off the top of my head. I'm not sure it is right but it seems reasonable to me.

Blue color is caused by colorless crystals of quanine in the cells named iridophores or quanophores. The crystals refract the blue portion of the light that falls on the skin. Melanin absorbs light. If the melanin is reduced or absent, then more of the refracted blue light can be seen, giving a bluish to purplish effect.

Hope this helps.

Paul Hollander