Quote Originally Posted by kimbosaur View Post
Would you mind explaining the difference? I'm still learning all the differences between these terms/mutations.
Hypomelanistic refers to reduced production of melanin, or melanin deficiency. Some melanin is produced, but not at normal levels. Think of it as "in between" normal and albino.

"albino" is just another word for amelanistic, meaning, the animal produces NO melanin. There are different types of albino. T positives (T stands for tyrosinase) produce a melanin precursor called tyrosinase, but can't convert it to melanin. "nebraska" albino plains garter is a good example. They are albino, but a bit darker than most albinos. Their eyes are usually a dark ruby color or even close to normal.

T negative albinos can't even produce tyrosinase in the first place, and are much lighter in color, with typical pink eyes. Where melanin (dark pigments) would normally be, there's nothing. No color at all. "Iowa" albino plains garter is a good example.

Quote Originally Posted by kimbosaur View Post
Is it for sure an albino? No expert by any means, but could it be hypomelanistic? Please correct me if I'm way off.
You're not way off. it could be hypomelanistic but it's not. The pigment you see (sort of straw colored) is not melanin in this snake. It's tyrosinase that has failed to be converted to melanin. Hypomelanistics produce melanin, just not at normal levels. Their eyes are usually completely normal. This snake has ruby eyes.

What I'm saying is that the snake in the first post is a T positive albino "nebraska albino" plains garter. So is the one Dan posted. Same mutation.