Visual difference between Hybino and Albino Hognose

Colubrids Hognose Snakes
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Is there a visual difference between a visual double recessive Hybino aka Sunglow (Evans Hypo/Albino) and a straight up Albino? Since the Hypo is a tyrosine positive form of albinism wouldn’t the Albino gene trump the visual appearance and express itself as tyrosine negative true albinism or do the genes interact and express in a unique way that is identifiable? Basically….if I breed for them using hets how would I tell them apart, the hybino from the albino?

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I had a very long conversation on the hognose FB group about this with a breeder from Germany (Stefan, cannot remember his last name LOL) discussing that the Albino in hognose is very likely not a true T-neg type. It was a real interesting conversation up to the point where the thread got locked (long story there… :roll_eyes: )

Synopsis is that Albino hogs have a purple hue to their belly that, when combined with another mutation (I think it was a hypo but cannot recall which line it was), disappears leaving a white belly. This would indicate that there is some degree of low-level melanin being produced in the Albino and that adding the hypo mutation further removes that.

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The belly of my Albino is off colored suggesting some melanin but you get the red eyes and tongue like a true abino. The hypo I have has a toffee colored belly and a dark purple hue to the eyes and tongue. So it sounds like the belly might be a good indicator to identify the visual double. I should find out next year if the hets prove out.

Thanks for the input.

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This is an interesting observation that went unnoticed by me. You kinda just blew my mind here. Thanks again.

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It is fairly common to find “extreme” T-pos albino types that share this phenotype. If you look at the Lav and Candy/Toffee mutations in ball pythons or the Sharpe versus Kahl albinos in boas or the various different albino types in retics you will find that all of them have red-eyes
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I cannot take credit for the observation, it was Stefan that brought it to my attention. But I am glad to be able to help out by passing the info on :+1:t4:

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Does anyone know if the same thing (i.e., possibly “Albino” in Bulls is not truly T-neg?) is going on with “Hybino” Bull Snakes? There seems to be some clear visual difference between Albino and Hybino, which is unexpected from my perspective as a Corn Snake breeder… very different and interesting? Thanks :slight_smile: