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Anery PieTOwns
UPDATED: December 2022
Desert Rosy Boas
(Lichanura trivirgata gracia)
We work exclusively with the Anerythristic Pioneertown Locality Rosy Boa which is one of the rarest locality specific Rosy Boa "morphs" in the world. There are only a handful of breeders producing these unique creatures making them highly prized among those who do work with them. These absolutely stunning little snakes sport a baby blue iris and an almost lavender/gray coloration that is truly spectacular. The most interesting part about these little beauties is that the genetic mutation (aka morph) first appeared in captivity! For more information please read the history below of these amazing little snakes.
We are no longer breeding Rosy Boas
History of the Anerythristic Pioneertown Morph
The Anerythristic Pioneertown Rosy or "Anery Pietown" for short is special for two reasons. First, the Anery phenotype originated from captive specimens rather than found/collected in the wild. Second, it is a locality pure line that is also a simple recessive genetic "morph."
In 1993 Ralph Crouch sold Mitch Allen an F1 pair of neonate wild type (normal looking) Pioneertown, CA locality Rosy Boas. Ralph Crouch shared that he personally collected the parents in Pioneertown, CA. Mitch Allen bred them and produced an F2 litter of three (3) in 1999. In that litter was an Anerythristic looking male. Mitch Allen bred the parents for two more years and was not able to produce any more Anery offspring so the parents were sold to a local pet shop.
In 2004 Mitch Allen was able to prove out the gene as simple recessive by breeding the male Anery to its sibling female. That F3 litter had two (2) more Anery babies in it thus officially making this visual trait (Anery) "proven." Cautious and intentional care has been taken since then to ensure this locality/trait combo stayed pure.
At this time (2019) the genetic compatibility for phenotype expression with other Anerythristic or Axanthic genes in the Rosy Boa captive population has not been confirmed.
Source:
Goldbarg, M., (2014) www.rosyboamorphs.wixsite.com [Accessed 6/24/2019]
A Note from TC On "Morphs"
Over the past 30 years my perspective on "morphs" has taken all kinds of forms. For clarity sake I'm defining a "morph" here as a genetic trait that yields a phenotypic (visual) expression. Morphs are either multigene or single gene meaning they can be either a combination of traits such as albino and anerythristic or a single trait like striped or something. Morphs exist in many captive reptile species today.
In general I find myself drawn to the wildtype expression in animals aka the natural form seen in nature. I find that contemporary nature and wildlife are my very favorite animals to observe in the wild and also manage in captivity. I'm not a particular fan of the subculture within reptile keeping that seeks to play with animal genetics either through line breeding, crossing genetic traits, or even worse hybridizing species to get a new pretty creation. Yet, I will absolutely support the liberty for those who wish to do so. I will also own the fact that I do breed the anerythristic morph of Pioneertown Rosy Boas.
As for me personally, I see morphs as the sprinkles on top of the ice-cream sundae whereby the natural form is the ice-cream. It hurts to see most of the community so excited over a bowl full of sprinkles and no ice-cream at all. The growing trend that saddens me is that the wildtype is too often viewed as useless or worthless which is fundamentally untrue from my perspective. I have a passion for conservation, preservation, and appreciation for natural found beauty. Therefore, over the next decade I will be moving away from producing any morphs whatsoever including these beautiful boas.
Examples from Our Breeding Group
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