VRHD FAQs

If you don't see the information you need in the FAQs section below please use the "inquiries" button located in the button cluster at the top left of this page to submit your question(s). The FAQs section will be updated as new relevant topics arise.

Q:		Is the gene responsible for hypomelanism a simple recessive? And what about the genetics of the pattern variation?
A:		The gene responsible for hypomelanism has proven to be a simple recessive. The pattern variations are linked to the hypomelanism gene but we are not certain what conditions lead to the expression of the more unusual pattern groups. Consequently, we are unable to predict pattern outcomes at this point. This is likely to change as more hobbyists come on board to work on the puzzle.

Q:		Will the VRHD hold their colors?
A:		More often than not, color related mutations in many species available today produce very brightly colored juveniles with adults becoming quite a bit more subdued color-wise as they age/grow. There is little to be gained by spotlighting specific examples but they should be more or less in the real common knowledge. The exact opposite condition occurs with the VRHD. The VRHD are one of the rare instances where older, larger animals are orders of magnitude more colorful than the juveniles.

Q:		How large do these animals grow to be?
A:		VRHD, like other Pituophis, are large, muscular colubrids as adults. They tend to be relatively slender as juveniles and sub-adults. Once they hit about four feet in length they begin bulking up to become relatively stout adults. On occasion some adults will maintain the more gracile juvenile form as an adult. These animals can be very beautiful with a distinctive "coachwhip" body form. Typical large adult length would be five to five and a half feet. Some robust and particularly well fed individuals may eventually approach seven feet, but that is not the norm with specimens kept under healthy captive conditions. Our largest and oldest deppei is a male measuring about six feet.

Q:		What is the deppei temperament like?
A:		As with their coloring and patterning, the temperament of deppei varies quite a bit. Some deppei can be fearful and others quite calm and inquisitive like a good natured family dog. The are usually never bellicose without reason. When they have reached the limits of tolerance they will expel air explosively through the glottis and rattle the tail. Striking out is kept in reserve for the most dire situations. When grown under good husbandry practices and handled properly, these snakes are a joy to work with. Our outreach snake for the last 20 years has been a large (six foot) male that is very inquisitive and seems to enjoy human contact. Aberrant Behavior Durango Mtn. Pines do not appreciate high temperatures. Temporarily warm temperatures for digestion are fine, otherwise they like it on the cool side, ie, human comfortable room temperatures to about 80F. Kept too warm, these animals grow very restless and many will panic. The warm temperatures will evoke fear behaviors such as running away, inflating, tail rattling, hissing explosively, whining, lurching at movement awkwardly. They display clear signs of being in obvious discomfort. They fare best under captive conditions practiced for most other montane colubrid species. Plan ahead for this.

Q:		Are the VRHD some kind of albino or partial albino?
A:		There is often some confusion regarding how the terms albinism and hypomelanism are used respectively. The VRHD are not albinos - partial or otherwise.

Q:		Can you tell which VRHD will produce the pattern that I am interested in?
A:		We don't claim to understand the inheritance rules governing VRHD pattern expression at this point in the adventure. It will be interesting to watch as hobbyists decipher VRHD pattern inheritance rules. Thus far we have been merely observers of the profusion of patterns associated with this snake.

Q:		Are the VRHDs the product of hybridization with other Pituophis genre/species?
A:		An easy one. VRHD are pure, unadulterated Pituophis deppei deppei. Our deppei collection has been sealed for many years and is limited to the original Los Mimbres locality.

Q:		Can I breed a VRHD to another deppei locality and pass along the VRHD gene?
A:		Most likely. This has not been tested, however.

Q:		Will Vivid offer heterozygous VRHD?
A:		No.

Q:		Will Vivid offer payment plans for the VRHD?
A:		We offer a net 30 day, interest free payment plan. Payment plans will require a minimum 25% deposit to initiate the plan. The deposit is non-refundable except under conditions of non-performance on the part of Vivid Reptiles.

Q:		Does the VRHD genotype/phenotype occur in the wild?
A:		Two or three decades ago I would have confidently answered, "not likely" to this question. However, I have seen strange things in wild over the years, including hypomelanistic specimens. Heterozygous hypo deppei could exist as a subset to the main local population with occasional heterozygous X heterozygous pairings being inevitable. The deeper question here is whether or not the genes associated with hypomelanism play some kind of role in the long term survival of the species.

Q:		What is the product of crossing a Summer Phase with a Winter Phase?
A:		This crossing has produced offspring of both types. Oddly, we are not seeing much by way of intermediates. However, I wouldn't read too much into this as it is still very early days.