Leucistic Eastern hognose???

This snake actually looks like it might be almost a "white sided" morph of Eastern Hoggy instead of a leucistic, since leucistics are solid white and this snake is not... Any other thoughts?

Originally Posted by Van from a different forum

Just a comment on the genetics/physiology of this morph. White-sidedness is technically a form of leucism. Leucism is a mutation in the genes controlling pigment cell differentiation and/or migration from the neural crest during development. All pigment cells, except those in the retina (which is why the eyes are still pigmented in leucistic forms), originate from a cell layer called the neural crest. The neural crest is ectoderm that originates from either side of the neural tube in development (which becomes the spinal cord).

Cells from the neural crest may become all kinds of tissues, but during differentiation they migrate through the body to the final location. Here's an unofficial list of all the different tissues that arise from neural crest (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neural_crest). I apologize for citing wikipedia here, but their list reflects what I remember from developmental biology...

Complete leucism is probably a mutation in genes controlling pigment cell differentiation since no pigment is formed, even dorsally. White-sided leucism is a mutation in genes controlling the migration of pigment cells from the neural crest region to the rest of the body. Hence, all the pigment is located along the spinal column. The only exception is that the eyes are still pigmented because they gain their pigment from the retina, which is a very early outpocketing of neural tube tissue, rather than neural crest tissue.

This is how it was explained to me....

Thanks for the comments!!

Gabe

Ok, that makes more sense now... I didn't realize the the "white sided" phase/morph was actually a form of Leucism. Thanks for explaining it.

And congrats again of finding such a beautiful and unique hoggy!! lol, I sure wish I could find one of those in MY yard!!
Do you still have the snake? If so, will you eventually breed it, or what are your plans for it?

Lauren,

Well, right now he's just a cool snake that I am trying to get good feeding response from. As for future plans, who knows. We move a lot, so breeding isn't an option in the very near future, but in a couple of years, who knows. Since not too many people keep easterns, I don't feel the need (for the snake's health for one) to "power feed" or breed it asap. We'll just take it easy and either breed it later down the road or get it into the hands of someone who wants to and can.

Gabe

Sounds like a good plan. Please keep us updated on the snake, and if you ever decide to breed it! That is an amazing snake... What a find!! Haha, I'm so jealous.

What ever happen with this thing??