This is exactly how different breeds of dogs are “created,” you breed shorter and shorter dogs together to end up with a very small dog, etc, etc. This is where selective breeding comes into play.įor instance, breeders choose the “best” or the “whitest” albino ball python and then breed that animal to another very white (or low red-orange color) ball python in the hopes that the two snakes’ offspring will exhibit the very “best” or “whitest” color combination of both parents. Since albino snakes can show some red to orange coloration and leucism can present itself in partial pigment loss (across all colors) obtaining a pure white snake would still be very difficult. Hobbyists demanded whiter and whiter snakes and those with little to no secondary coloration, so to fill this need breeders began to utilize selective breeding in order to improve their stock. In this way, through repetitive breeding and over many generations, albino and leucistic snakes become more and more available. Selective Breeding to Create Pure White Snakesīreeders who were lucky enough (or spent enough money) were able to obtain the very rare wild albino and leucistic animals and soon after added them to their breeding programs. In order to supply the reptile hobby with enough white snakes as is demanded by keepers, breeders had to step in and learn to “create” these snakes and make them much more available. …a bright white snake tends to stand out and it can make being a successful predator quite difficult not to mention that a white snake can also stand out to other predators and become a meal for someone else! White snakes are quite rare in the wild because snakes are predators, stealthily sneaking up on their prey or camouflaging themselves into their surrounding environment and ambushing prey animals that venture too close! Many truly pure white snakes are leucistic morphs because albino animals still produce those red-orange colors by the way of carotenoids. Unlike albinism, leucism does not affect pigmentation in the iris and the red eye coloration is absent.
Snakes also produce carotenoids which are red-orange pigments but these carotenoids are not affected by albinism which is why many albino snakes are white with yellow(ish) coloration.įact: | All albino animals will exhibit red or pink eyes because the blood vessels in the eye show through the now colorless iris! Leucism In SnakesĪ leucistic snake loses (or partially loses) both melanin and carotenoid production resulting in a snake that is completely white, white patches and/or spots, or muted coloration with white background. Albinism In SnakesĪlbinism in snakes prevents the production of melanin, however melanin isn’t the only color-producing pigment that snakes make. Leucism, on the other hand, is a partial loss of all types of pigmentation.
ALL WHITE BOA CONSTRICTOR SKIN
Albino vs LeucisticĪlbinism is the absence of melanin which is one type of pigmentation that gives skin its color. This lack of pigmentation results in a “bleached” look or white coloration.
Sometimes these genes can have mutations that produce variations in the animal albinism is one such mutation that prevents the production of the pigment (melanin) that gives the snake its color. The same kinds of genes are found in snakes and reptiles too.
ALL WHITE BOA CONSTRICTOR FULL
Read our full disclosure- Where Do White Snakes Come From?Īll animals, people included, carry genes in their DNA that make us who we are.įor example in humans our genes determine our hair color and the color of our eyes, as well as whether or or not we’ll grow taller or shorter than average. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Reptile Roommate is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. In fact, the search for a white ball python went on in Africa for years until one was found and then sold in the US for over $150,000!!įortunately for us, ball pythons, boa constrictors (and other snakes) have been selectively bred to increase and intensify their white coloration and the prices and availability of these snakes have become attainable for most every reptile enthusiast! Finding a white snake in the wild is very rare. White snakes are either albinos, leucistics, or the resulting combination of the two.
I’ve kept pet snakes and other reptiles for over 30 years and in that time I’ve been fortunate enough to have kept some of the most beautiful and unique snakes that I could find.īut for many people, myself included, the allure of an all white snake was irresistible!įast forward a number of years and the all-white ball python stormed onto the scene!Īs breeders gained access to more and more morphs, selectively bred color and pattern combinations, they were able to breed many snakes to exhibit all white or mostly white coloration.
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