[reptirus]

I am pretty new to picta and still trying to learn the proper terms for all of them. I have noticed that some people call their white colored picta snows, while others just say they are hypos. I was curious what the true definitions of snow and hypo are to try to figure out what they actually are. In the leopard gecko world we say something is hypo if it is lacking alot of its normal markings, is this true meaning of hypo in anything? One of the main reasons Im asking is because Im trying to figure out if a male that I picked up is a snow or a hypo or just a normal picta. Im pretty sure that he isnt just a normal, but which catagory would he fall under.








Here is also an eye shot if it is important at all, I noticed he has less coloring in his eyes than the other 3 picta I have

[Riverside Reptiles]

The term "Hypo" is short for "hypomelanistic" which is a scientific term meaning reduced black pigment.

The term "snow" is simply a name given by a breeder(s) to describe a certain trait or appearance.

"Snow" can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. Usually, "snow" is used to describe an all white (or nearly all white) animal. To most in the snake world, it means an animal that is a combination of the albino trait with the anerythristic trait. Obviously, it has a completely different meaning in the leopard gecko world.

Personally, I consider a picta like what you have as being a hypo (reduced black pigment). If it were solid white, or nearly so, I might be willing to call it a snow. Others would call it a snow. And some would simply call it a "light phase". All of the above would be "acceptable". But at the end of the day, the fact of the matter is that breeders/sellers can call an animal anything they want. Most of it is nothing more than a term to better market their animals.

[reptirus]

Im not trying to coin names to make a quick buck though, trying to figure out what would be the most ethic name to give it. You would consider that a hypo, or would you actually just say its a striped normal? The more I look at him I dont think he is really lacking any black pigment, comparing him to other picta if anything I think he is just lacking alittle of his brownish color. Thats why im kicking around now if he is just a nice example of a stripe

[Riverside Reptiles]

IMO he's lacking a good bit of dark pigment. "Light phase" or hypo would be more than appropriate. "Snow" is what many would call it.

[reptirus]

Ok, thank you for your help!

[Riverside Reptiles]

Originally Posted by reptirus

Ok, thank you for your help!

No problem. It's just my opinion though. Others may not agree. But glad it helped.

[Ophidiophile]

Hiya. You've seen me posting asking about pictus names too, so you know I'm no expert. I have seen your type of picta referred to as a "snow" and I have some in my collection that look fairly identical to yours. I'm reluctant to call them snow because as Ethan noted, for some people (usually snake breeding people) that means an anerythristic/amelanistic combo and as a snake-breeder, that's the way I tend to use the term. I've been referring to ones like yours as "light phase" pictas but I have no problem with also calling them "hypo".

[reptirus]

I agree also. I started in leopards so snow has a different meaning to me, snow just ment that it is a white gecko pretty much, but the problem I see with calling him a snow is ive seen others post what they call snows that makes my gecko look like a D- grade snow. LoL Thank you for your imput though, trying to deside if I would like to call them hypos, light phase, or snow now

[Riverside Reptiles]

Originally Posted by reptirus

trying to deside if I would like to call them hypos, light phase, or snow now

Just call him "Fred". Then it doesn't matter what color he is!

[reptirus]

just name him micheal jackson, then it doesnt matter if he is black or white