Hyperopthalmia and the Leucistic Canadian Ratsnake...

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Posted by Paul @ Animals for Education on April 15, 2001 at 04:59:52:

In Reply to: Re: Leucistic Texas Ratsnake posted by Dean on April 14, 2001 at 09:39:43:

This condition is no more pervasive amongst captive populations in Canada than those in the U.S.
Over the years, many attempts to outbreed this unsightly (no pun intended) artifact of Leucistic Lindheimer's have consistently failed. Efforts to outcross both homozygous and heterozygous animals to wild-caught 'normal' Texas Ratsnakes, and subsequent breedings to reproduce the blue eyed, white phase again, consistently yield some 'bug-eyed' offspring.
The evidence to date suggests that if you wish to breed Leucistic Texas Rats, you'll have to put up with a few big-eyed babies. If you want a pretty, solitary pet - choose a 'normal eyed' individual.
In our experience, out of an average clutch, usually a third (or so) of the youngsters exhibited this trait. It also seems to appear more frequently and with more marked exaggeration in males. The condition seems purely aesthetic, however, as I have witnessed nothing to suggest that it inhibits the subject animals in any way.

Incidently, did you know that the first Leucistic Texas Ratsnake was found dead on a Texan road in 1926? It was thought to be an Albino specimen (the descriptive 'Leucistic' was not in common parlance back then!) since its' skin had a pinkish cast. Since the snake was believed to have been dead for some time, it is now thought to have been pure white when it was alive. Of course, hatchlings have a pinkish colour for their first few weeks of life due to their skin's lack of opacity. In death, a pinkish colour may return.
Our first successful breeding of Leucistics took place in 1996 in West Lorne, ON. CANADA.
Now, our latest Ratnake project features REAL Albino Lindheimer's (not the FOUND ON ROAD DEAD IN 1926 kind - LOL)! They're more orange than pink!

- Gatorboy
GREAT WHITE (LEUCISTIC) NORTH

Animals for Education

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: This condition is no more pervasive amongst captive populations in Canada than those in the U.S. : Over the years, many attempts to outbreed this unsightly (no pun intended) artifact of Leucistic Lindheimer's have consistently failed. Efforts to outcross both homozygous and heterozygous animals to wild-caught 'normal' Texas Ratsnakes, and subsequent breedings to reproduce the blue eyed, white phase again, consistently yield some 'bug-eyed' offspring. : The evidence to date suggests that if you wish to breed Leucistic Texas Rats, you'll have to put up with a few big-eyed babies. If you want a pretty, solitary pet - choose a 'normal eyed' individual. : In our experience, out of an average clutch, usually a third (or so) of the youngsters exhibited this trait. It also seems to appear more frequently and with more marked exaggeration in males. The condition seems purely aesthetic, however, as I have witnessed nothing to suggest that it inhibits the subject animals in any way. : Incidently, did you know that the first Leucistic Texas Ratsnake was found dead on a Texan road in 1926? It was thought to be an Albino specimen (the descriptive 'Leucistic' was not in common parlance back then!) since its' skin had a pinkish cast. Since the snake was believed to have been dead for some time, it is now thought to have been pure white when it was alive. Of course, hatchlings have a pinkish colour for their first few weeks of life due to their skin's lack of opacity. In death, a pinkish colour may return. : Our first successful breeding of Leucistics took place in 1996 in West Lorne, ON. CANADA. : Now, our latest Ratnake project features REAL Albino Lindheimer's (not the FOUND ON ROAD DEAD IN 1926 kind - LOL)! They're more orange than pink! : - Gatorboy : GREAT WHITE (LEUCISTIC) NORTH

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