Forum Visitor to the Ranch (Dan72)

[ConcinusMan]

Here is Granger, the T+(Nebraska) albino T.radix female given to me by roryhawke. Thank you very much.
Then is a great looking adult dark phase male T.radix given to me by dan72, also a great snake. I already have a few ladies in mind for him next Spring.
Then there is this awesome looking adult red phase female T.radix female given to me by my good friend Mark. She will be used to enhance the red breeding project here at the Ranch.

WOW!

[Mommy2many]

You have beautiful snakes there! Just beautiful.

[guidofatherof5]

*UPDATE*

Dan(dark phase male T.radix) started eating tonight. Downed a big night crawler.

[guidofatherof5]

Dan the dark phase radix male shed today. Beautiful radix. He's still jumpy in the typical male radix fashion. He has a slight crusty vent which I am treating with A+D ointment. Just trying to keep it moist. I'll see how this goes for a few days. I might start some daily warm water soaks if it doesn't clear up.
I think be will be a good breeder in the Spring.

The red female is about to shed and I will update a photo of both snakes in the morning.

[EasternGirl]

Beautiful snakes! Sammy is still a typical jumpy male radix too!

[guidofatherof5]

Here are those photos I promised.
First up is little Granger. Awesome T+ (Nebraska) albino T.radix. The photos don't capture just how milky white he appears.
Then there is this beautiful red phase female T.radix. She is such a nice girl. I really like those extra belly spots she has.
Finally there is Dan the dark phase male T.radix. He is still jumpy and not in the mood for any handling but I have to treat this crusty vent(cloaca) he has. Not sure what is going on but I will keep a close it on it. Treating it now with zinc oxide. It works wonders on human babies butts so hopefully it will help him. He is eating well and seems to be in good health otherwise. I'll be glad to get these three out of quarantine and start the socializing program.

[guidofatherof5]

[snake man]

Those snakes are amazing! I'm gonna have to say I think my favorite is the red and dark phase.

[ProXimuS]

All three are soo beautiful! You can even see some iridescence on the dark phases belly in the last pic. Steve, mind explaining what is t+ albino, or supplying a link. I remember it being explained before, just not where.....

[guidofatherof5]

TYROSINASE POSITIVE ALBINO (T+) in T.radix is called the Nebraska albino.

TYROSINASE NEGATIVE ALBINO (T-) in T.radix is called the Iowa albino.

From Scott F. website. Scott Felzer's Garter Snakes, specializing in aberrant garters
Tyrosinase-negative Albinism - albinism due to absence of tyrosinase.
Tyrosinase-positive Albinism - albinism in animals capable of synthesizing tyrosinase, but unable to synthesize melanin

From Jeff B. website. Garter Snake Morph
Albinos generally have a complete lack of melanin, yet still can produce xanthin and erythrin, which is why they will still have varying amounts of reds, yellows, and orange. That is why the combination of erythristic morph types with albino has enormous appeal and designer morph potential. The reptile world often classifies albinism into two main types of albinos: Tyrosinase positive (T+) and Tyrosinase negative (T-). Tyrosinase is an enzyme that is involved in one of the first steps to melanin production, it converts the amino acid tyrosine into the compound dopaquinone. Ablino snakes are often lumped into one of the two groups T+ or T- based on the idea that the T+ albinos have a darker more caramel/purple look, however this is a guess at best and a gross oversimplification of what causes the different albinos in snakes, due to a lack of knowledge and research being done at the biochemical and genetic level of snakes, and/or public knowledge of such studies. Having many different possibilities or mechanisms that can cause albinism is the reason that even though two types of albinos in a species may or may not be genetically compatible, so when 2 albinos from different parentage are crossed might not produce albinos but rather double hets for the two different albino types. For example it is well know that the Iowa albino and Nebraska albino types in the plains garter are not compatible, and recently it was discovered that the Bluegrass albino and Shuett albino in the eastern garter are not compatible.