IMG?

[Ginevive]

I noticed after Goblin's last shed that he apears to be getting darker. He has dark areas under his mouth and in his behind-the-eye gold areas. I wonder if this will continue with his further sheds? I wonder if he could be anIMG (increased melanin gene)... I have read that some snakes go through their youth looking normal, and then darken when they get old. Goblin is at least 5 years old, perhaps older, I got him when he was already an adult. He's in my sig. below...

[JLC]

I believe all snakes change appearances at least slightly as they get older...usually getting darker, but some species get brighter. I don't know enough about IMG to know if it should have shown up before now, or if this is a typical age for it to start showing. It could be that a few more sheds and years would be needed to know for sure if that's what's going on or not.

[gozetec02]

I agree with Judy. When i got jojo his colors were very bright. Now he is 2 years old and his black coloring has gotten darker and his gold has gotten bolder. I also notice that he has his best coloring right after he sheds which is probably true with all shedding reptiles.