I found an Albino Garden Snake

[EasternGirl]

Our albino checkered doesn't seem too bothered by normal room lighting (she comes out at any time, even on the rare occasions we have bright sunlight shining down the hall) , but she's in a viv with a heatmat rather than a lamp. I'm pretty sure she wouldn't like being in the T. cuitzeoensis viv where they have a 50W daylight lamp on during the day as well as their heatmat. For albinos I think heatmat is definitely the way to go, it just completely removes the UV and bright light issue.

Just a note on about the OP. I think if she has come back to the forum recently she may well have been scared off by some of the recent posts in this thread, especially if she stopped back to report that it's died or released. I'd read some of them as being quite critical, and give the impression that there's a bunch of people that would want to take her son's snake away, assuming its probably dead because someone inexperienced found it... I know that's not the case, everyone would be just as happy to give her the advice she needs to look after it.

I have to agree...I looked back at some of my posts and could see where they were critical and I feel bad for that. I was just worried about the snake, but that's no excuse for scaring away a new member who is looking for help.

So, I should look into getting a UTH mat for the checkered albino then...I have always been a bit nervous of those....can someone please recommend a safe one...he is a small guy and I have a 10g tank for him to start. Thanks!

[chris-uk]

I have to agree...I looked back at some of my posts and could see where they were critical and I feel bad for that. I was just worried about the snake, but that's no excuse for scaring away a new member who is looking for help.

So, I should look into getting a UTH mat for the checkered albino then...I have always been a bit nervous of those....can someone please recommend a safe one...he is a small guy and I have a 10g tank for him to start. Thanks!

I started a fresh discussion on mats and stats, so that this thread doesn't go off-topic.

[ConcinusMan]

Just a note on about the OP. I think if she has come back to the forum recently she may well have been scared off by some of the recent posts in this thread, especially if she stopped back to report that it's died or released. I'd read some of them as being quite critical

Why do people keep saying that? That is not the case. I don't see anyone being critical or anything here to "scare off" anyone. Only concern for the snake to get proper care. Besides that, if she had come back, whether they posted or not, I would know by looking at their profile. Last login was yesterday. It's anyone's guess why she didn't post anything or let us know how the snake is doing. I don't know, maybe the snake didn't make it and she feels embarassed but that's just speculation.

Well, don't worry about it Worriorprincess, all of us here have had snakes die on us, especially delecate babies. It just happens and it's nothing to blame yourself for, if that is how you are feeling. Please post again. We'd like to hear from you, good news, or bad.

Even if it didn't make it, or if it does or doesn't breed and produce captive offspring, I for one am glad that the find got reported and there's good pics of the snake. That alone has a lot of value.

[ConcinusMan]

Dr. Robert Mason responded to my email reporting the albino. Check out the website link here if aren't familiar with his research: Study Species | Mason Lab

Hi Richard,
Thanks for sending the pictures. It is an interesting animal. I envy your moving to the sunny south. Any chance you describe where the Northwestern den was or give us an alternative contact so that we might visit this spring?
Thanks for writing.
Bob Mason

Robert T. Mason
Professor of Zoology
J.C. Braly Curator of Vertebrates
Chair, Biology Program
3029 Cordley Hall
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331-2914
ph: 541-737-4107
fax: 541-737-0501
masonr@science.oregonstate.edu

[chris-uk]

Why do people keep saying that? That is not the case. I don't see anyone being critical or anything here to "scare off" anyone. Only concern for the snake to get proper care.....

Clearly reading the posts from a different perspective to me if you can't see how someone may have been discouraged from posting again. I don't doubt that the reaction was motivated by enthusiastic concern for the snake.

Worriorprincess may just have been too busy to post again, or could have found good advice elsewhere. I know if she comes back to ask for more advice she will get it here, and if she doesn't want to post on the forum she always has the option to send a PM to ask someone to ask for advice privately.

[ConcinusMan]

I'd like to know the location where it was found, just for records sake.

[EasternGirl]

Ok...well if she is coming online but not posting...hopefully she is reading these posts...if so, please let us know what is going on...no one is going to judge you or blame you here if something happened to the snake. If any of our posts were construed as critical, they were not intended that way...we are just concerned. We would really like to help if you need help caring for the snake...and many members are very interested to know where the snake was found since it was such a rare find. We hope all is well and want you to know that you are welcome here...

[ConcinusMan]

So, I should look into getting a UTH mat for the checkered albino then...I have always been a bit nervous of those....can someone please recommend a safe one...he is a small guy and I have a 10g tank for him to start. Thanks!

The only thing about UTH is that you have to ensure that the ambient (air) temperature is comfortable. Cold air and UTH are a bad combination IMO. Shouldn't be a problem if the room is warm enough for you to be comfortable.

I wouldn't try it a 10 gallon, but for larger tanks, a combination of UTH and low watt ceramic heat emitter (say, 40 watt) works well. For your tank, instead of UTH you could use a 60 watt overhead ceramic heat emitter instead. Just suggesting more options for you. But while not albinos are bothered by bright light, I would avoid using basking bulbs due to the snakes not having melanin to protect them from "sunburn" Even if a bulb doesn't say it puts out UV, some do put out harmful wavelengths. Harmful if you lack melanin, that is.

[EasternGirl]

Okay...well since he's small and I'm starting him in a 10g, I'm going to start with the UTH. He'll be in my bedroom which usually stays pretty toasty...it never drops below 65 at night.

[ConcinusMan]

Just be sure to set the corners of the tank on something so there's a slight gap between the undertank heater, and the surface its sitting on, so heat can escape. Otherwise it builds up and they can get too hot. You don't want your snake to get burned on the glass if he burrows down into the substrate. Also, don't use more than 2 inches of substrate over the heater, and whatever you do, make sure the water dish is as far away from the heater as possible. Cold water spilling on the hot glass can make it crack.