Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This isn't actually specific to ATBs, but they're a prime example so I figured I'd ask people here...

Let's take, for example here, a group of baby ATBs. You really, really dig the solid orange ones so you hold a pair back and breed a pair, choosing the best, most solid colored ones you get in your clutches--cream of the crop from that color phase. Repeat 2-3-4 times maybe.

Now, would the *other* color phases also be nicer? Like would you yellows and gardens look better than average too? Or would it really only impact the other orange phase snakes (assuming 2-3 generations here of selective breeding)? Would you start getting more of that color phase per litter, and would the other members of that litter still look better than a run of the mill ATBs?
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We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
1.3 African House Snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
1 corn snake
4.3 Florida Kings
2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
1 Argentine boa
1 Texas Rat Snake
1 checkered garter snake

It's a complicated question I think.

The genetics on these species are not understood. I believe the most far we can get is assuming once you try to bred out the tendence of producing black flecking and dark coloration, all your offspring will look nicer.

On the other hand, dark pigments can make a snake look so much nicer, when shown in the right places, such as the rare examples of halloween ATBs with real red background.

As for trying to breed a single color, such as orange, I think it is kind of unpredictable. I have seen people crossing nice pairs and getting a lot of gardens and colored babies that have nothing to do with the parents.
I have also seen garden paired with yellow and getting reds, oranges, yellows and gardens.

I believe it is valid trying to breed the snakes you like the most. But it is also worthy trying to breed all snakes together because the outcome is always unpredictable.

You can get your perfect snake out of the least expected pairing.

So, I know I didn't quite answer your question, but I would say there is tendency that nice looking animals will produce nice looking animals, but there's also the unpredictable factor.

Maybe you can eventually make a pure bloodline but I think it would take far more than 2-3 generations.

Just take a look at that "yellow halloween" phase Mike just posted above.

That's what I'm talking about.

If you try to insulate genes too much, you'll loose the beauty of polimorphic species.