Some answers on ghost confusion.

[DestinyLynette]

Since I really want to breed hypo / ghost, I've been trying to learn about the different lines- each time I find a post somewhere, or threads on this forum, I find different answers to the same questions. I decided to contact Colin Weaver from East Coast Reptile Breeders, since I really enjoy his articles and he has worked with the hypo gene extensively. He was quick and effective with getting back with me, so I thought I might share in case anyone else had the same questions as me now or in the future:

Hi Destiny,

Thanks for your email. The ghost (or hypo gene, depending on who you are talking to), doe have a lot confusion.


1.) Does it really matter what line of hypo I get into? I notice people rarely specify what line of hypo they are selling, unless it's specifically orange ghost or desert ghost.
Answer: The desert ghost is something completely different than the ghost/hypo genes. It is a completely different morph. With rare exception the ghost genes are compatible (orange, green, butterscotch, yellow). I have had no problems breeding all of those supposed lines of ghost. For the most part these days people just say their ghosts are 'orange ghost'. If someone says 'ghost' you can assume them to mean 'orange ghost'. I've never heard of a rainbow ghost.
2.) What lines are NOT compatible with one another?
Answer: The desert ghost is not compatible with any of the other ghost lines. It is a different mutation. You can breed orange ghost, green ghost, yellow ghost and butterscotch ghost without problems. If you are buying ghost in from a breeder you can pretty safely assume the lines are compatible unless they are selling you something very specific.
3.) If I cross, say, an orange het with something called a butterscotch, am I going to produce a muddle-toned animal? Should I be a purist about what line I use? Or won't any line produce that lovely "bleached out" color effect?Answer: The ghost lines are already diluted these days. 99% of breeders can't tell you (honestly) where their ghost lines come from. The most practical advice I can give you is to buy the prettiest "orange ghost" you can find.
4.) Do you happen to know what "ghost" line was the original one produced in 1994?Answer: If my memory is correct the original ghost was an "orange ghost" imported by Kevin McCurley. That may not be accurate, though. Some of the so-called ghost lines were nothing more than different animals that were imported by different people. they named them orange, butterscotch, yellow, green, etc. without knowing if they were a different gene or not.
5.) What line of ghost do YOU work with?Answer: My ghosts are mostly what you would call orange ghosts. Most everything I have originally came from Ian G. (way back in the day).


Please let me know if I can answer any other questions for you.


Thanks.

He didn't catch my sarcasm when I said rainbow ghost earlier in the e-mail, lol. But I'm satisfied with the answers I received. I feel like I know what I'm doing more so now.

Sorry if I'm stupid and everyone already knew this, but figured I'd share.