Common types of albino snakes include corn snakes.
An albino snake is a type of snake that is born with a genetic abnormality known as albinism, which is a lack of pigmentation in the body and eyes. This leads to snakes being white in color or not having a typical specific coloration, for example a snake that is usually yellow, white and red may just be yellow and white. Albinism also causes the snake’s eyes to turn a solid red color and can reduce the snake’s vision. Corn snakes and Burmese pythons are fairly common types of albino snakes.
Common types of albino snakes include Burmese pythons.
Albino snakes do not belong to a particular snake species, but rather are various types of snakes that are born without the usual pigmentation seen in the species. This can be caused by genetic mutation or intentional breeding in an effort to produce snakes with a particular appearance. Albinism can also be an accidental result of breeding attempts to create snakes with a different type of coloration, which can inadvertently pair snakes with a genetic predisposition to produce albino offspring. Regardless of the intent or nature of the mate, an albino snake is usually identified by its characteristic red eyes and light color.
An albino snake does not necessarily have to be completely white, as some people might initially assume based on albino mammals that are usually very pale with white hair. Due to the variety of colors in snakes, a single pigment may be missing due to albinism, and the albino snake may still be yellow, cream, or light brown. Albino corn snakes, for example, may lack red pigmentation and still have a yellow and brown coloration that provides the characteristic corn patterns that give the snakes their name. The popularity of corn snakes as pets has led to extensive breeding, which in turn has produced a good number of albino corn snakes.
Similarly, albino Burmese pythons can be quite common and can even be bred for their unique coloration to sell to snake enthusiasts. Burmese pythons are typically various shades of light and dark brown, with very recognizable patterns and skin colors. Albino Burmese pythons, however, typically lack the darker brown pigmentation and instead appear white and yellow or very light brown, but with the same color patterns. On the other hand, an albino snake retains all of the usual behaviors and habits of non-albino specimens of its species, with corn snakes and Burmese pythons being nonvenomous constrictors that feed on a variety of animals.