Snow leopards

[marisa]

Who in Canada has these guys!?! And if so, how much do they go for? I couldn't find a lot of stuff online about them....here is a photo from

http://www.albeysreptiles.com - they have some really nice leopards and a whole group of snows in photos on the website.

<img src="http://albeysreptiles.com/images/SNLG01-M1BO.jpg">

I just love these so much more than all the other morphs! They are gorgeous!

Marisa

[Tim and Julie B]

Well so far no one has managed to prove that this is a genetic trait. The Canadian market for these is all but non-existant. As far as I know no one here breeds them. I have a few things going for next season, which may or may not include these beautiful leos, but can't count my eggs before they hatch. Like I said, the genetics have not been proven:D

Julie.

[Youkai]

Well the thing is...technically <i>everything</i> is genetic, right?

This trait is similar to tangerine. This trait is proven to not be a recessive trait, much like albinism, patternless, blizzards, etc. It is selectively bred, and quite honestly still in its infancy. People have been working with it for quite a while, but not to the extent they have worked with hypos/tangs.

Buying snows can be a gamble. I bought one that was well over 4-5" and it still turned yellow - though it had a sibling (in someone else's care) that did stay mostly white.
My suggestion would be to buy from someone well known. And ask to see the parents! That is so important. Many geckos hatch dull/and or white and turn yellow soon after. Lets use hypo tangs as an example. Let say someone had a bright yellow hatchling for sale, and was calling it hypo tang. You saw the parents, and the parents were no more than high yellow - you KNOW the baby wouldn't be a hypo tang in this case.

Er, so anyway, I've rambled. Basically...

- They are selectively bred
- Buy from a well known breeder
- Ask to see the parents of the gecko

[Tim and Julie B]

Though everything is basically genetics, many breeders have begun to realize that there are 3 species of leopard gecko. Fasciolatus is the one that these apparent snows are bred from. So selective breeding cannot guarantee the production of snows. thought he parents may be snows, the babies may likely not be. I would suggest to never buy one unless it is and adult. Too often they end up yellowing around the 8-10 month mark. I have several now that were born yellow and have begun to loose the yellow completely at around 12 weeks. With every shed they become far more white. I would still never sell them as snows because they can easily change from now until 1 year. Take care,

Julie

[Colonel SB]

OMG I want one or two or three they are sooo cool. Tim & Julie put me on the list for when you produce them :)

[marisa]

Yes I want on that list as well because I love these guys.

I don't care if the wait is 4 years. I want on the list. LMAO! :D

Thanks for all the good info...so far these are one of the few leopards that catch my eye.

Marisa

[Bartman]

wow i have never seen that color in my whole life. Didnt even know they existed. Wish i had one of those :(

[Tim and Julie B]

Ha ha ha!:D I love the people on this site! I will surely be producing more in the next couple of breeding seasons, but only in limited numbers. I will keep you two in mind for sure:D

[damzookeeper]

I hatched out a few white and brown babies but they all turned out yellow after a few months. Some were more of a pastel, but still yellow. :( But I don't have any snows so what could I expect. lol.

[Blazin]

Yeah I would have to agree with Tim and Julie B. Also most of the snows I have seen tend to be alot smaller in frame. Some are down right SKINNY! I have also seen many hatch out looking like snows and pastels and then getting tons of color later on!

[snakemann87]

HOLY LORD!!!!!!! THAT IS ONE SAAAWWWEEEEEEEEET GECKO!!!!! MAn I want one LOL that is so pretty!

[TheRedDragon]

Wow! That gecko is a screamer! Put me on the list too! :)