New :)

[Selkielass]

Welcome!
Nice looking snakes. Both have much clearer checkers than my albino checkered... but then Ziva has several problems, all probably related to inbreeding. She's still a very well mannered lady.

[CarlieLynn]

To Chris ! These are not my words but rather by someone that goes by 'Spakenstyne' on a different reptile forum.

'There's some debate in the garter world about the "hypo" checkereds. Many have taken to calling them "pastel" due to the fact that it doesn't seem to be any lessening of the black but rather a brightening or lightening of the green & brown tones with the blacks looking more intense. Some discussion as well over if it's recessive or co-dom. It gets even more confusing because there seems to be varying degrees of it, some just looking more clean and brighter green than the usual olive colours all the way to some looking an almost neon whitish green. It's easier to see in some babies and the adults usually just look cleaner & more green.

There are a few signs one can look for but they don't seem to be a sure thing either, most will show some squiggly busy top of the head pattern and abberrent pattern on the neck, and some don't. Really though when you see normal babies and pastel babies it becomes more obvious and easier to tell.'

If anyone feels the need to correct me please do. I am new and will not take offence to anything you say. Here are some new side by side photos of my normal and pastel. The differences are slight but noticeable. If my male doesn't make the classification of a pastel someone let me know please.

[chris-uk]

With the two side-by-side there's a difference in colour. I'd probably argue that this is natural variation from one snake to another, we had 4 checkereds from the same litter and side-by-side there was a similar variation in colour.
I won't open the can of worms any further by questioning the genetics of the colour variation and whether is should be considered a morph. Personally, I prefer the greener variation, but they're both great looking snakes.

[CarlieLynn]

Thank you ! And to be honest it doesn't bother me what he is considered, that is what I got him as so that's what I listed him as (tho now just considering throwing a normal label on him). I personally like the darker one better. I am interested to see what they produce in a few years. And also if anyone has new info on the 'pastel morph' please toss it my way !

*And to 'Light of Dae', the two females are related and I believe the male has the same father. I prefer getting unrelated snakes but I have never seen these guys before.

[PINJOHN]

I think the person who might throw some light on this issue for you is asnakelovinbabe i might have got it wrong but i think she owns some, although she has just had a very beautiful addition to her family, so i am not sure how often she might get on line perhaps a pm might be in order.

[CarlieLynn]

Thank you I will contact her, I also have a new addition to my family , I know how it gets ! ahha.

[EasternGirl]

I think checkereds are so neat looking! I love my albino, but the pattern is even more interesting looking on the regular colored (non-albino) checkereds.

[PINJOHN]

Thank you I will contact her, I also have a new addition to my family , I know how it gets ! ahha.

Well done congratulations i think some photos are called for ...boy?...girl? its not just snakes that get us going... ooow and ahrr on this forum, lets see the little tyke.

EDIT i have just noticed that you have not received your Liverpool welcome,... a thousand apologies, welcome to follow asap

[PINJOHN]

Welcome from a very wet Liverpool

TODAY'S SCOUSE FACTOID

1999, Liverpool was the first city outside the capital to be awarded blue plaques by English Heritage in recognition of the "significant contribution made by its sons and daughters in all walks of life.

[CarlieLynn]

BOY And I will post a thread of him shortly ! May be picture heavy Ahahah,