Scale-less BP photo!

[Emilio]

Amazing can't wait to see combo's.

[anatess]

Do you think that Ivories or BELs would exist or even survive in the wild? Because the chances of these are the same as those scaleless ones.

Scaleless gopher snakes of different maturity levels have been observed in the wild. And there's no indication of more damage or injury to the scaleless gophers than their scaled counterparts. This means that they do survive.

Scaleless Texas Ratsnakes were housed in the Bronx zoo and researched. The research basically concluded that the lack of scales does not give any indication of handicap - they can still move as much as the scaled ones, they still retain hydration as much as the scaled ones, they can still thermoregulate as much as the scaled ones and they can still hunt prey as much as the scaled ones. Brian was one of the pioneers in the research of that breed which spilled over to the cornsnakes.

Now, these bp's, too early to tell. But, that's why we're excited about this bunch! Because, if there's anybody who would know, and more importantly... care, about the viability of these guys, it would be Brian.

[joebad976]

I am not sure not having heat pits would be that big of a problem in captivity only time will tell. Either way that thing is freaking AWESOME.

[francisco_24]

Simply amazing!

[CD CONSTRICTORS]

Nothing against it, but it just doesn't do anything for me personally.

Looks like it came from "Toy Story"......

[Expensive hobby]

Ya genetic color mutations are one thing, but selectively breeding genetic deformities because it "looks pretty" is not what this hobby should be about.

Isn't it enough that we get to keep these beautiful creatures without "playing God" as many people say? And I will say this again, this is not a color mutation, it is a deformity. Meaning it is deformed from the normal "design" of the snakes physiology.

It would be on the same plain as breeding an animal without ears because it gives it that "slender, sleek look." It's more aerodynamic lol. This makes about as much sense.

I say stick to the pretty paint jobs and leave the anatomy and physiology alone.


Sent From an Enclosure

[Pythonfriend]

i guess it cannot be helped, certain breeders will work with them for a while, even if they have issues.

its now confirmed from several sources that Mike Wilbanks purchased 3 scaleless head BPs for 210000 dollars. i guess he will want to recoup some of that money. so the cat is pretty much out of the bag. at the very least i would expect some scaleless head BPs to hit the market, and once these float around anyone can go for the fully scaleless.

leaving the "survival in nature"-thing aside, i wonder how much it will affect their ability to be a good pet. will they require higher maintenance, or more vet bills maybe? how will it affect movement? they use the belly scales for the straight forward crawling.

many questions. the optics are stunning, i wonder what a busy-patterned jigsaw would look like in scaleless. or a champagne. But im not very optimistic, i suspect they will be less good as pets because of issues or more intensive care.

Just like some high-end pedigree dog breeds do not make good pets anymore because they have all kinds of weird genetic issues.

But we will see, i want to see them crawl around and eat and get to age, then we will know.

[loxocemus]

one question i have not seen asked or answered anywhere is "does it have scutes, belly scales?" from the pics of bessettes animal (now deceased) it appeared to have no ventral scales. so does this one have ventral scales? and if not how will that change ur opinion of it.


rgds
ed

[Pythonfriend]

one question i have not seen asked or answered anywhere is "does it have scutes, belly scales?" from the pics of bessettes animal (now deceased) it appeared to have no ventral scales. so does this one have ventral scales? and if not how will that change ur opinion of it.


rgds
ed

we are still waiting for a picture showing it. but i am pessimistic.

all scaleless snakes that i have seen so far that still have their belly scales also have some remaining scales on their head and around the mouth. basically a band of scales goes along the belly all the way from mouth to tail. this BHB line scaleless ball python appears to not have a single scale on its head. The original deme-ball had a few random scales on the body, but also no scales on the head or lips, and also no belly scales. so i strongly suspect the whole body is scaleless and there will be no belly scales. but, well, a picture of the belly could still prove me wrong.

if a belly shot confirms the absence of belly scales, it makes you wonder how it looks when they crawl.

[Artemille]

I've spoken with someone working there, they do not have belly scales.