Axanthic questions

[Barsad0]

What's up everyone!? I'm a long time lurker and first time poster, but I have a few questions that I can't seem to find directly discussed. Sidenote, you guys/girls are an unparalleled knowledge base when it comes to balls, every reptile store that I've been to in the metroplex have all recommended this site to direct difficult questions.... you guys need to make t-shirts or something.

First off, I've read that axanthics "brown out" over time but some line continue to hold their colour (or lack of colour) longer than others. So, which lines (VPI, TSK, joliff, etc) tend to hold their white for longest?

Second, does anyone have pictures of an axanthic that is a little older that still has it's white? or is it just a matter of time before they brown out?

And lastly, where would you guys recommend looking for a good axanthic? I've found a few online and I plan on going to the rept show in the metroplex in the next couple months to look there as well... Also, is there any breeders that I should be weary of? I don't want to unintentionally support someone that is neglectful/abusive towards any animals...


tl;dr
I'm looking for an axanthic, where do I look, you guys rock.

[joebad976]

I don't have any pics for you but I am sure someone will have some. VPI tend to hold their colors better than the other two. From what I have seen advertised bailey and bailey or holloway herps have some great looking VIP axanthics.

[pinkeye714]

Most people wil say Vpi. In my opinion. all the lines have good examples and bad ones. If i was shopping for my first AX, i would look for the most silver and black baby i can find. I wont look at lines. Go with the best example of which ever line you can find.
So i have a tsk line. here is my baby girl at 150 grams.



Here is her at 400 grams ish


700-800 grams.


Now at 930 grams. bad picture in the room with a desk lamp. but here.

[Barsad0]

dang pinkeye, she is absolutely beautiful, arguably one of the best examples of an ax I've seen ... It almost sounds like it comes down to breeders rather than lineage... any recommendations on a great ax breeder?

[coldbloodaddict]

On average VPI line Axanthics produce the best looking Axanthics...Also more people are working with them making it easier to add other Morphs that are Ax or Het Axanthic to your collection...Plus it makes them easier to sell.

One of my VPI Axanthic adults...


Adult VPI Axanthic Pin


You can see the other VPI Axanthics and Combos I have produced at this link.
http://www.coldbloodedaddiction.com/...hp?morph=00002

[Ryan Chin]

I just picked up my axanthic girl from the sacramento reptile expo in september from HDI reptiles, I believe they're located in washington or Oregon. They don't have a site fully built with all their animals but they do have a site with contact info if you want their pricelist. Given they are a newer company to the industry I feel their crew was passionate about the business and did solid work. I believe his name is Daniel Day who owns it and he is the mastermind of the business so I would recommend talking to him, he had a whole display full of his axanthics and snows. Also works with ghost stuff , gargoyles and onyxes to name a few. I chose them over HCPremium(same snake same sex same price) I believe they were called based on quality of the animal itself and their customer service. Sadly I was leaning towards HCPremium in the beginning because they're also Chinese like me, alas I had to go with quality and service.

On another note, one thing I did notice at the expo was that at the TSK boothe, the only axanthic they had for sale was a VPI. I lol'd at that. Every breeder I talked to that day said VPI was the way to go. From the examples I've seen online I'd say VPI is the way to go. My girl is still young so we'll see, but HDI provided me with some good insight on axanthics as for as coloring and maturation. One thing to look for in hatchlings as far as browning out goes is the amount of blushing they snake has, if the blacks are solid black it will stay black throughout the life, if it has blushing those areas will brown out. The white scales will stay white and the grey scales tend dull as they get older usually staying more on they grey side for a decent quality animal.