Babies coloring up

[ConcinusMan]

Sonya, you can expect most flames to color up quite a bit, getting more intense as they grow up. Especially as they become sexually mature, you'll see a lot of coloring up. That is, more intense red/orange. I've seen plenty of "low end" flames that weren't nearly as colorful as yours, (just light orange) turn into intensely red high-end flames as they matured. Doesn't mean they all will do this, but there's a high probablilty that your flame will become more colorful, especially as he approaches about a year old.

I speculate that this may be because the snakes acquire the proteins necessary for making the color, from their food and it accumulates over time. Many birds do this, (Flamingos and Western Tanagers for example) so why not reptiles.

It's a little different with the concinnus baby. They are born red/orange right from the start. He'll pretty much stay the same color, but some actually fade a bit once they mature. I don't think yours will. He'll pretty much stay the way he is I think.

The question is not stupid. The problem is coloring up varies so much from snake to snake that it is hard to give a definite answer.

Exactly. This is why when a snake that has the potential to color up, but hasn't yet, is sold cheaper, or as "low end". Because it's really a matter of chance. You may get lucky like I did with Amy, or your snake might not color up, but as a general rule, flames do color up. The question is, how far will it go? only time will tell.

[Sonya610]

Sonya, you can expect most flames to color up quite a bit, getting more intense as they grow up.

Okay, I just wondered because the color comes in so "spotty". I never see photos of spotty looking adult flames, as in part is bright and other parts tan, but then again I guess most of the photos are taken to show off the spectacular looking examples.