Color change?

Ch^4 · 09-06-11, 05:25 PM

Cliff, I'm putting you in the spotlight! (However, I'd love to hear other's thoughts

).

I've noticed that my BRB goes through *drastic* color changes; I don't have any pictures, but I will try to get some within the next few days. When I say drastic, I DO NOT mean after a shed, I mean DAILY. That's right, daily, as in bi-diurnal color changing.

Everyone may think I'm crazy, but after 16+ years of keeping, I've never seen anything like it; I have enough (self-proclaimed) experience to know that it is not the lighting deceiving my eyes. During the day when she is dormant/hiding, her lateral background (i.e., where the "bullseyes/crescents" are located) is a deep brown/grey. Her dorsal background is a nice bronze/orange at this time as well.

However, when she is active during the night, her lateral background becomes a vibrant WHITE. I believe the correct term may be that she has extreme "white walls" during the night. (There is approximately 2 mm on either side of the dorsal circles--the rest is white down to her belly.) During this time, her dorsal background becomes a more vibrant, deep red-orange, while the orange within her dorsal circles appears as a BRIGHT ORANGE.

My only guess would be an adaptive hunting change, but I've never heard of this. A bi-diurnal color transformation? In a snake? If you've read this through, I'm guessing you think I'm crazy as I do not have photo documentation, but I will strive to attain the evidence and post it. She is so bizarre and I would love some answers/theories.

Thanks in advance!

Gungirl · 09-06-11, 05:27 PM

I have no knowledge about this at all but that sounds intense.. I would love to see pictures I hope you can capture some of her in both states to show it well.

**millertime89** · 09-06-11, 06:02 PM

find another and breed it you must.
definitely get pictures when you can, sounds awesome and I would love to see it.

Snakesitter · 09-06-11, 07:29 PM

Perfectly normal. Here is a thread dedicated to the effect: http://www.ssnakess.com/forums/epicr...-pictures.html. The picts have disappeared due to the collapse of my photo hosting site late last week, but can be viewed on my Facebook page (link below). I hope this helps!

Ch^4 · 09-06-11, 08:06 PM

Cliff, thank you sir, I don't know how I missed that in my searches?! I knew you'd have the answer!

@ gungirl and millertime: I will try to get some pics in the next day or two to show off, as Cliff stated, this truly spectacular phenomena.

**millertime89** · 09-06-11, 09:38 PM

I'm gonna have to pay closer attention to mine next time I've got a day off.

SnakeyJay · 09-07-11, 03:26 AM

Mine gets whitewall in the evening aswell, not many breeds do that.

Snakesitter · 09-07-11, 02:23 PM

No worries, Ch^4. Looking forward to your picts!

I'm not sure if this is unique to rainbows or not, Jay -- at least to this extent (I know other snakes do indeed change color based on mood).

SnakeyJay · 09-07-11, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snakesitter

No worries, Ch^4. Looking forward to your picts!

I'm not sure if this is unique to rainbows or not, Jay -- at least to this extent (I know other snakes do indeed change color based on mood).

Wow... soo didnt know that lol.