Albino Leopard Geckos - January 15th, 2010
In my opinion, the one mutation that usually helps in boosting a certain reptile species to a newer (and better) level would be the albino. This would include leopard geckos’ mutation too. Albinism, by general definition, is the congenital absence of pigmentation in the eyes, skin and hair. This can further be translated that an albino would possess no pigmentation at all. But, primarily in reptiles, albinism simply means the lack of black pigmentation. An albino leopard gecko would lack even a single trace of black pigmentation, making their colors lighter yet more vibrant to our naked eyes compared to the wild type specimens.
Albinism in leopard geckos has been proven to be a simple recessive trait. It is a genetic trait that must be passed on by both parents (sire and dam) in order to make their off-springs to exhibit the same trait. If only one of the parents carries the trait while the other one does not, then the potential off-springs would be considered as the heterozygous form (commonly referred to as “hets”) of the trait. Unlike the actual albino specimen, these “hets” off-springs do carry but do not exhibit the albino traits.
There are currently three established yet distinct albino bloodlines worldwide.
"Tremper" – Tremper albinos is also known as the Texas strain albinos were the first of the three strains of albinos to be discovered in 1996 from wild caught specimens by Ron Tremper (www.leopardgecko.com). Tremper albinos can range in colors from dark browns to light yellows, oranges, and pinks. The Tremper albino eyes tend to be a silver color with red veins. It is the most versatile of all the three albino strains so far. Newer morphs from the strain keep popping out from time to time over the years such as Sunglow, Tangelo and also the infamous R.A.P.T.O.R. My collection consists some of the classics as well as brand new morphs such as Tangerine, Giant, and R.A.P.T.O.R.
"Rainwater" – Rainwater or Las Vegas albinos were founded by Tim Rainwater in 1998. Being in comparison to the other two strains of albinos, Rainwater albinos tend to have much lighter and more pinkish coloration overall. When they hatch, they tend to have yellowish bodies with pinkish bands. As a group, Rainwater albinos are smaller than the other two strains. Rainwater albinos also have the darkest eyes of the three different types of albinos. This particular strain seems to be gaining in popularity as the hobby seems to grow. I am currently working on to produce more morphs by crossing out this strain to other exciting new morphs such as enigmas or red stripes. But I have not forgotten the classic ones.
"Bell" – Bell albinos were discovered by Mark Bell from Florida. It is the newest among the three known leopard geckos’ albino strains in the world. The eyes of Bell albinos are the easiest way to distinguish between the other two strains. Their eyes are a light pink color, predominantly when they are young. As for the body, they tend to exhibit light brownish and purplish spots. Bell albinos also express a lavender coloration on their body. This strain has been a top contender to the “evergreen” Tremper albinos, popping up from time to time with a lot of newer and more exciting combo mutations. Currently I am working with a variety of Bell albinos, classics and combo mutations alike. I believe that this is just the beginning and their possibilities are endless.
In the reptilian world, albinism is deemed as a defect and would make a specimen to lack natural camouflage to hunt for prey or hide from predators, making them to be one of easiest targets in the animal kingdom. Therefore, they are usually at the very bottom of the food chain. But in captivity, such defects are cherished and revered as they represent living arts. These walking, breathing and living works’ of arts are known as the albino leopard geckos.
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