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.

[Coleslaw007]

Sure a lot of us already knew, but it'll likely help some ppl out. I highly recommend reading up on all the genetics and morph information on this site.

Sent from microwave via Tapatalk ll

[Mike41793]

I second what colin said about going for the nicest one you can find. All my hypo stuff is orange ghost. As with any morph, there's variation. Some OG's have more blushing, some are more orange, busy/reduced pattern, some get really pale as adults, etc. Figure out what you like and go from there. Knowing what projects (what other morphs you wanna mix in) you wanna work them into would help a lot too.

I'd like to add one more thing:
Gulf Coast Reptiles has their own line of hypo and it is NOT compatible with other lines of hypo. I can't remember if their line has a specific name... Someone with more experience will know.

[HypoLyf]

I'd like to add one more thing:
Gulf Coast Reptiles has their own line of hypo and it is NOT compatible with other lines of hypo. I can't remember if their line has a specific name... Someone with more experience will know.

You're thinking Citrus Ghost. :-)

[DestinyLynette]

I've tried to find more information on GCR, as I live on the coast. I know they're in Ft Myers, Florida, but not much else. No contact information or anything; their website isn't up, etc. All I have is a number and an address for them. But from what I saw on WOBP, they've produced some pretty killer stuff.

[RandyRemington]

I think Graziani had a G2 line that also wasn't compatible with the others.

Seems like "orange ghost" is being way over used considering most everything is a mix now. Suppose it's good marketing with fear of incompatibility but I can't honestly use it for my beautiful hypo mutts but I know they are compatible with "orange ghost".

[BlueMoonExotics]

I thought I remember reading somewhere too that Desert Ghost is it's own gene and isn't compatible with the "real" ghost morphs either.

[Mike41793]

I've tried to find more information on GCR, as I live on the coast. I know they're in Ft Myers, Florida, but not much else. No contact information or anything; their website isn't up, etc. All I have is a number and an address for them. But from what I saw on WOBP, they've produced some pretty killer stuff.

They post in the classifieds with their email address fairly often.

[bcr229]

I thought I remember reading somewhere too that Desert Ghost is it's own gene and isn't compatible with the "real" ghost morphs either.

Yeah I think you're right. I also know people confused the recessive desert ghost with the dominant desert ball as well.

[Mike41793]

Yeah I think you're right. I also know people confused the recessive desert ghost with the dominant desert ball as well.

Yep, i made that mistake once!