Axanthic experts, what the heck did I just hatch?

[loonunit]

The two surviving babies from my disastrous VPI snow clutch are crawling out of their eggs. And... I don't know what they are! They looked axanthic in the egg, but they don't have that perfect gray-and-black monochrome look to them. There's definitely some gold on top, but it's very pale, very washed-out.

Here's a picture of the one that's out already, hanging out with the het pieds and black pastels from my first clutch. It's much paler than a normal, but I'm not convinced it's an axanthic, either. Is it just a really, really pale double het?

Help! What the heck did I hatch?




The two eggs that failed contained one albino het axanthic and one more maybe-axanthic-maybe-double-het.

[dr del]

Hi,

It should be easier to tell after their first shed, given how much the colours change at that point.

But I also have to say that black pastel on the right is stunning.

[loonunit]

Haha. Yeah, both black pastels are pretty awesome. I'm waiting for them to shed, too, then I'll show them off properly.

[loonunit]

Hey, the maybe-axanthic just BIT me! First biter in 7 clutches. I was starting to wonder if I had magically charmed happy snakes.

[S.I.R.]

I agree that after the first shed it will be easier, but as of now I think it looks like a double het to me. Hope this helps!

[loonunit]

With the gold on top, they'd almost have to be het. But they look so silver on the sides... it's almost like I've got visual het axanthics.

Dad's a very pale albino. Could the albino gene be washing them out?

[coldbloodaddict]

Definitely no Axanthics in that pic.

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[loonunit]

Okay, calling them double VPI hets for snow, with some kind of visual het axanthic look to them. I'll post pics when they shed out.

[aalomon]

I saw a thread a long time ago about some het albinos that hatched out silverish like axanthics, but darkened up after the first few sheds. They looked very similar to you lighter one that is already out. Of course I cant find the thread now.

*updated*
I did just find a youtube post with something similar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUgBOHOz-yg

[loonunit]

So maybe it's the albino gene?

Oh, no, and the male double het has a TERRIBLE neck kink. This clutch just continues to be a disaster.