What does it mean when a snake is called a Red Phase?

[spaceturtle]

Does it mean that color eventually fades? Or is just a confusing term for an oddly colored animal?

Google isn't much help on this one.

Thanks

[dr del]

Hi,

What species of snake?

Some change colour throughout their lives some from hatchling to neonate and some stay the same.


dr del

[spaceturtle]

Western Hognose in particular. What makes them a red phase? Is it genetic? Do all Westerns turn red at some point then fade?

Curious about other snakes too.

[dr del]

Hi,

Well google gave me this.

Was that the right info - you could also ask in the hognose section of the forum for a more complete answer.


dr del

[spaceturtle]

Yeah I saw that but it didn't really answer my question.

And I'm not just curious about Westerns, but any red phase really. It seems like a generic term used for several snake types. For example, hypo morphs are generally the same for all snakes. It's just a lack of the color black in their normal pattern and not specific to one species.