I was searching for something completely different and found this:

Monty Python's..

No wait, I found this:

Scott Felzer's Garter Snakes, specializing in aberrant garters

I thought it looked familiar at the time when I posted this: http://www.thamnophis.com/forum/gart...tml#post179381

Now, as far as I know, "anerythristic" easterns never "existed" until Jeff Mohr found an eastern garter snake and someone declared it to be "anerythristic" based solely on the fact that it bares a resemblance to an anerythristic red sided. "Unfortunately to date we have yet to replicate her genetic trait" (see Scott's website link above). "In 2010 Flames het for Mohr anerythristic will be bred to flames het for Mohr anerythristic and also the normal Mohr hets".

First off, how do you know the trait is genetic (which I define as a predictably inheritable genotype, not to be confused with phenotype) if it is unproven? How do you know it's even anery? You don't. If this snake's phenotype is not expressed in her offspring,(which would provide at least some preliminary evidence for a dominant genetic trait) and it hasn't been proven recessive, then how can one then call them "Mohr (anerythristic) hets"? It would not only have to be proven but it would have to be proven recessive in order to have "hets". Then he says " If this project proves out, this will ultimately create a second snow strain." Things that make you go "Hmmmm..." Well if I buy one lottery ticket every 10 years, I just might ultimately win 5 million dollars. My odds might even be better than producing a new snow.

Then in 2008 along comes the west virginia "anerythristic" (remember, still also unproven) that has just a few similarities to the "mohr anerythristic". Having already had time to try and prove this one out too, and apparently failed to do so, he offers it to you at the bargain basement price of only $950. There's the marketing thing again. It's just that at times it seems like much of the marketing reminds me of a used car salesmen telling "it's not old, its a classic" or "It has a genuine simulated leather top" so they can convince someone to pay more than a car is really worth. Not exactly lies but just pay attention to the bold words. It's not safe at all to assume that they are true. They are true assumptions based on little to no evidence. Take those away, and if you still think that it's worth $950 on it's own merit, then buy the snake.

This isn't just about one snake. Just a reminder to "read the fine print" when you read about certain snakes for sale, separate the facts from assumptions and strip away the "dirt", then make a value judgement of your own.