So I just bought a "Hypo Het Sunglow" but what does this mean?!

[Snake Den]

I am a ball python person, but I have a huge 100 gallon tank that just isn't suitable for balls, so I decided to look around for something to put in it. Well I was playing around on a fb auction tonight and ended up winning what was advertised as a Hypo Het Sunglow boa. He is really pretty, but I am not sure what that name means. I am so used to my ball python terminology Can anyone tell me what I have on my hands? If I were to think about getting a female for it down the road, what would you choose? Also what is the going price for this snake right now? I want to know if I got it for a good price or not! Thanks for the help!

[Daybreaker]

I think they meant hypo het albino, as a sunglow boa is a visual albino hypo. So to get sunglows you would need to breed this guy to a visual albino or het albino (assuming this guy is het albino too). The "het for sunglow" isn't really correct IMO: I've never heard it before.

Also, some strains of albino in Colombian boas are not compatible: for example, a Sharp albino boa to a Kahl albino boa would not produce any visual albinos. Most albinos are Kahl line unless stated otherwise.

[Expensive hobby]

Be ready for a larger enclosure than a 100g lol. Here's a 400g for reference:



Obviously larger than is needed but the floor space sure is nice. But no way my big girl would fit in a 100g.

Haven't got her "all the way" stretched out but she's estimated at 99" given the tile count.

But nice pickup, boas will make you rethink what a good snake is. Balls are great, but boas are greaterer lol.


Sent From an Enclosure

[BallChick]

Hypo Het. for Albino. easiest way to make Sunglows is breed him with an Albino. Definitely find out which strain (Kahl or Sharp) he is Het. for. They are not compatible with each other.
I would say they go for $100-$150

[reptileexperts]

Perfect Predators is one of the companies that LOVES to use that terminology - Hypo Double Het Moonglow (meaning its hypo double het anery and albino) or Hypo Het Sunglow (which as people state is known as het albino simploy). Some of the triple het stuff gets REALLY confusing when you look at the stuff on his website. . . Triple banger bloody sunglow and the image is just a hypo . . . so I mean ask when it dobut, and if you plan to breed it out as put ensure you know if you are dealing with kahl line or sharp. IMO if they dont list a line its usuall Kahl as sharp tends to be more expensive / less available.

[Evenstar]

A hypo het albino IS a hypo het sunglow. Perfect Predators is not the only breeder to use this terminology. It is widely used in the boa community. A sunglow is a hypo albino so a hypo that carries the albino gene is considered het for sunglow because that is what a hypo albino is called.

Another example is a hypo het ghost. A ghost is a hypo anery. And then there is a hypo het moonglow. A moonglow is a triple gene animal so a hypo het moonglow is a hypo triple het anery albino - but it is a hypo het moonglow because that is what a hypo anery albino is called.

To be clear, you cannot have an albino het sunglow because the hypo gene is dominant and must be present in order for the animal to be a sunglow. And if it's present the animal would already be a sunglow.

** Hope that all made sense - I'm a bit off tonight and probably shouldn't be answering questions related to genetics at the moment.... LoL!


As far as the going rate, I'm going to say they go for a bit more at around 180-200. Sunglows are extremely popular and sell very well. A good quality hypo het sunglow is going to be worth a bit. This is a nice hypo too - fairly clean and has a nice reduced pattern. With the right female, it should make some nice sunglows.

And, yes, you are going to need something larger than a 100gal tank for it when it's an adult. A tank is not suitable for a boa constrictor. They need a minimum of a 4x2x2 foot enclosure as adults.

[Snake Den]

I really appreciate all this feedback! My boy arrives in the mail at 12pm tomorrow. I am pretty excited! As for the genetics, it all makes sense now. It was just a terminology thing :-) I guess I will have to start looking into a female for him ;-) argh, this stuff is so addictive. The larger enclosure aspect does not bother me at all. How long do you think it will take him to get up to adult size?

[Expensive hobby]

A tank is not suitable for a boa constrictor. They need a minimum of a 4x2x2 foot enclosure as adults.

How's 4x6 lol

I'm trying to become a fellow boa expert lol


Sent From an Enclosure

[Snake Den]

Out of curiosity I just measured my enclosure dimensions... It is 5ft X 1.5ft X 1.8ft... So close! But I guess it will last me for a while anyway...

[Daybreaker]

Out of curiosity I just measured my enclosure dimensions... It is 5ft X 1.5ft X 1.8ft... So close! But I guess it will last me for a while anyway...

I don't like glass tanks for my snakes but my male Colombian is in a 4x2x2 cage and it's fine for him. 4' long cages are fine for most Colombian males unless they get extra large, but if you can give the extra space I'm sure the snake would appreciate it.