ball python genetic marker??

[greg4000]

i have been looking through some auctions, and also some classifieds in regards to het ball pythons. mainly piebald and albino. a couple of people claim that their hets for these, 100% hets, have the "genetic marker". does anyone know if this exists, and if it does, what does it look like. thanks, greg von bruchhaeuser

[Scarlett_Fawn]

I'm not exactly sure I understand the question, but it sounds to me like you basically want to know what a "het" is.

A ball python that is 100% heterozygous for albinism or piebald will not look like an albino or piebald. It has a normal pattern. If you breed it with another ball that is heterozygous for that same genetic trait or is an actual albino or piebald, you will get some babies that turn out looking like the actual morph.

I found these two websites very helpful to understanding more about snake genetics and hets:

http://www.pkreptiles.com/genetics/punnett_square.asphttp://ballpython.com/page.php?topic=genetically2

http://www.pkreptiles.com/genetics/punnett_square.asp

[greg4000]

i know what it means to be "het" for something, i have read different auctions and such that make a direct reference to a genetic marker, something physical that these people actually claim they can tell if there is a recessive gene. i know you can only prove the "het" by breeding it out. i was just curious if anyone else have read anything in regard to this, or any comments about it.
greg von bruchhaeuser

[Sand&SunReptile]

I've also seen online classifieds saying something to that effect. Always with just piebalds, nothing else.
"66% Het Pied's. ALL HAVE GENETIC MARKER!" or something to that affect. The breeders are telling you they know that they all are 100% hets, because of a particular marking.
I am clueless as to there being any truth, or reality to these statements.

[BrandonSander]

The "marker" these sellers are referring to is a white bellied snake with a black, seldom broken stripe going along the length of both sides of the belly.

There are those who believe that this is a way to separate hets from normals in a clutch where possible hets are produced.

I personally don't buy into it. (I could be wrong and if someone does prove out this theory I'll admit defeat then).

I have both hets and normals that display this marker. I also have hets without it. So I'm not really convinced.

BTW het PIEDS are supposed to have this marker, I haven't seen anyone state that there are markers for other morphs.

[CornNut]

Here is an older thread on this subject with pictures:

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=21911&perpage=5&pagenumber=1

[Sand&SunReptile]

Thanks for the informative replies.
Whats the song, where the rain goes away, and you can see again?