Hamm- The Star of the Show -for me anyway -)

[Jinja]

Originally Posted by ophidianman

Does anybody know how they slough? Does the skin come off in one piece as in a normally scaled guttata or do they shed like we do in lots of little pieces all the time?

Good question...!!

[hogboy]

Originally Posted by ophidianman

Does anybody know how they slough? Does the skin come off in one piece as in a normally scaled guttata or do they shed like we do in lots of little pieces all the time?

I asked that question, they shed normally.

[ophidianman]

Originally Posted by hogboy

I asked that question, they shed normally.

Thanks for clearing that up. I wonder if the skin is really thin and smooth like tissue paper? It'll be interesting to see what comes out of breeding these to different morphs and if there are any problems with skin disease as Al has mentioned?

[hogboy]

The more i see them, the more i want one

[cornmorphs]

one day... i wont pay that, coz i cant.. but i';ll have these.

[lisafay]

you were allowed hold them??! Was afraid to ask!!!
The great selective breeding of mutations debate again....
Of course most random mutations would not survive in the wild. Albinos would stand out like a sore thumb.
As long as you're not planning on releasing them into the wild that's not a problem. We kill off a snake's natural wild immunity by breeding it in captivity for generations. Again, in captivity that's ok.
I find colour genetics fascinating (am a genetic psychologist)
We just need to watch out for morph associated probs like genetic difficulties associated with jag/spider/enigma morphs.
I have an idea that most of these probs can be dealt with by widening the gene pool - interbreeding is a huge prob in the hobby and more ppl do it for generations than will ever admit to it.

I loved these corns - actually thinkin about gettin wit a friend to buy us a pair!!!

[Alex M]

Originally Posted by lisafay

As long as you're not planning on releasing them into the wild that's not a problem. We kill off a snake's natural wild immunity by breeding it in captivity for generations. Again, in captivity thats ok.

We just need to watch out for morph associated probs like genetic difficulties associated with jag/spider/enigma morphs.

Your last sentence is my concern for them Lisa, i'm not hearing good things about the silk back beardies regarding serious health issues i.e dermatological infections etc which are apparently hard to avoid but would be interested to hear from people who have more knowledge about these morphs than myself.

[purpleskyes]

I think they look awful, whats the point in a snake with no scales? I dont like the leatherback beardies either. I think reptiles should have scales just man playing God as usual. I know morphs are also man made but aside from spider royals and some enigma leopard geckos not all enigmas then generally morphs dont affect the animals health.

[lisafay]

It's all down to personal taste, isn't it?
And most of us like a nice morph selection to choose from , and without it the rep industry woudln't be half what it is - breeders would be out of business etc etc.....
But there are defo more probs associated with morphs than that and we don't really understand all of it yet. For example jaguar carpet pythons carry a neurological problem - and the same prob seems to be responsible for jag to jag breedings, where 25% of the clutch die in the egg. New probs are being revealed all the time, although the vast majority of the time it's fine.
The problem is people will breed snakes with neurological problems for financial gain. This is where the prob needs addressing and ethical issues need to be taken into consideration
But have to say, i love morphs and just wouldn't be without my albinos and even my jungle-jag! ( I just won't be breeding him back to a jag). If people like the scaleless corns then why not, i think they're pretty nifty

[peterf]

You would be surprised what will survive in the wild.
For example I have a pure white reticulated python which was wild found and I would say around 2 or 4 Years old at the time it was found.
In Indonesia we have had probably 10 adult albino Retics found in the wild over the last 10 years. This is where these lines normally start from-wild found snakes!
In one area we found 6 adult albino blood pythons.
We also received an adult albino Breitsteini some time ago.
These animals do survive and manage to conceal themselves from predators.
I do not see any reason why a scaleless corn would not survive in the wild should one occur. True, it is less protected by horny scales and this may be a disadvantage over rough terrain, but I am sure that the likelhood of predation would be no different to a "normal" corn.