Yeah. I was talking about a mutation, not trying to make this happen via some type of breeding program. Sure it's a lot of ifs, but these things do happen sometimes. It's a given that we're talking hypotheticals here for sure. I wouldn't recommend holding your breath either. A blue person, not snake, would be the likely result.
As for the albino carpet, I haven't seen that one yet. Where is that at Paul (Australia, US, Europe, etc.)? I'd like to see some pics of that. You know, it's weird how the albino gene pops up in reptiles so often. I mean, being a genetic trait, that just appears out of nowhere is weird. Unfortunately, most of these first generation albinos are wild caught, so it's almost impossible to track down the parents to see if it is inherited, or just a mutation. It seems to me that being such an obviously unsuccessful trait, it would have stabilized, and there wouldn't be any het for albino snakes around anymore. Much less two of them that just happen to mate, ya' know.
I wonder if there has been any research into this. Just a wild speculation on my part, but I'm guessing it must be a relatively easily triggered gene mutation. And of course, once triggered, it is a simple recessive gene that can be passed on to offspring. I have seen research indicating that temperature spikes during incubation can cause various birth defects in snakes. Also, its common knowledge that the incubation temp of crocs will determine the sex(granted, this wouldn't be considered a mutation). But maybe not just temp can affect the development. Maybe other things like light, or humidity could be involved. Also, all eggs are "breathable" to a certain extent. That is, there is some exchange of gasses, and liquids into and out of the eggs. What this leads me to believe is that there are perhaps certain "windows" during development where environmental factors can trigger certain mutations.
I don't know, just a wild theory, but doesn't sound too "out there" to me. Any thoughts? Anyone know of any research that would back up my line of thinking, or shoot it down?
