I went on a weekend jaunt to the Carolinas this weekend to find me a pink pygmy. Temps dropped quickly at sundown, and it was looking bleak, but as I was calling it a night, nature threw me a bone.
Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
I ran into another herper there, who had found a pygmy the night before on the same stretch of road. It was great to be able to photograph the two examples together to see how variable they can be. Interesting also, his pygmy was nervous and twitchy, while mine was mellow as could be.
Carolina Pygmies by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
Carolina Pygmies by soulsurvivor08, on Flickr
Both pygmies were released where they were found. I can't wait for the next trip to see even more variations!
~Bree
Carolina Pygmies
Moderator: Scott Waters
- soulsurvivor
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- Josh Holbrook
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Gorgeous pygs.
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
So very beautiful.
- BillMcGighan
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
What they said.
- umop apisdn
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Sweet! Are those from NC or SC?
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
really nice... love the color comparision.
- soulsurvivor
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
These are some Southern beauties.
- umop apisdn
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
I've seen lots of pigmies in SC, never seen on that pink! I've had terrible luck with them this year. Every time the weather was nice, I had to work. As soon as I'd get out...rain, cold weather, or no-shows.
- soulsurvivor
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
It's the lightest I've seen from the area. I was most pleased.
Re: Carolina Pygmies
Computer monitor problems, general colorblindness The one looks really light, which is neat. I'm not trying to detract from your find. I just don't see the pink.
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Is that one example a hypo---or something? I've never seen one even close to being that pale before.
- soulsurvivor
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Sorry for your luck, Chuck.captainjack0000 wrote:Computer monitor problems, general colorblindness
- soulsurvivor
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
I have considered this, Carl, since there is absolutely no black on it. I'm no morph expert though, and haven't seen a ton of wild Carolina pygmies to know what is atypical.Carl D. May wrote:Is that one example a hypo---or something? I've never seen one even close to being that pale before.
Re: Carolina Pygmies
Based just on those two examples, I'd say yes, the "pink" one's hypomelanistic. It would be interesting to breed two pink ones, see if all babies are pink; breed to the darker one found on the same road, see if half (over a large statistical sample) are hypo/pink, which would suggest it's a simple recessive and that the dark one's heterozygous or carrying the gene. And if none are hypo from the pink x dark cross, then breed the offspring--to each other and back to the pink one--and the results should show if it's a simple recessive. (the things i've learned, from breeding color morphs!)soulsurvivor wrote:I have considered this, Carl, since there is absolutely no black on it. I'm no morph expert though, and haven't seen a ton of wild Carolina pygmies to know what is atypical.Carl D. May wrote:Is that one example a hypo---or something? I've never seen one even close to being that pale before.
Re: Carolina Pygmies
Sounds like a lot of baby pigs to get feeding! Argh. I've never bred Carolinas. I got some cbb Hyde reds once as a gift from a friend, and boy they were a damned hassle to get going. I've produced a few of my own litters of streckeri. That was ugly. Worse than the Hydes. Weird 'cause the WC adults were cake, a real joy to work with. I know some neonate duskies are a pain, some are easy pink feeders; it seems to vary by locality.It would be interesting to breed two pink ones, see if all babies are pink; breed to the darker one found on the same road, see if half (over a large statistical sample) are hypo/pink, which would suggest it's a simple recessive and that the dark one's heterozygous or carrying the gene. And if none are hypo from the pink x dark cross, then breed the offspring--to each other and back to the pink one--and the results should show if it's a simple recessive. (the things i've learned, from breeding color morphs!)
So, who here has raised neonate Carolina sandhill pigs? How did that go, are they like Hydes or more like, say, Okeechobees? I've sure enjoyed the look of some of the grey & lavender (and now this pink...) adults from GA & SC. But are they a nightmare to raise up?
Just curious...
cheers,
Jimi
PS Bree - nice find! don't mean to hijack your post, and I'm going to side with "hypo" too
- soulsurvivor
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Hi Jimi! Nice to hear from you. I always think of you when I drive by Sunset Bar and Grill. I hope all is going well for you. We bred streks once, too. Don't 100% recall how they did, but I don't remember having problems with them feeding. Never tried Carolinas though.
~Bree
~Bree
- NewYorkHerper16
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Re: Carolina Pygmies
Beautiful snakes!