I see it all the time on social media, folks asking the masses what morph is this? It usually goes something like this; "Hey guys, I bought this (insert species) at (insert generic big chain pet store). The label just said fancy bearded dragon (aka assorted corn snake, king snake, etc.) Can you tell me what morph it is?" So today I'm here to help shed a little light on the question, "What morph is my snake, bearded dragon, etc.?" Bottom line, if you buy your animal and is not labeled as otherwise it is, until proven otherwise through breeding, essentially a normal. There are some basic morphs that can be identified at a simple glance through experienced eyes such as albino, anery, axanthic, hypo, snow, leather back, silky, translucent, etc. However, for many species there are dozens if not hundreds of morphs and combinations of morphs with new ones appearing almost daily at times. This makes it nearly impossible for your friends in the reptile group on FB to identify your particular animal's morph. If you want to know for sure what your animal is then you need to purchase it from someone who knows what they're selling/doing. In other words don't purchase "assorted corn snakes", "fancy ball pythons or bearded dragons, etc..", or the generic labeled "king snake" from shops or persons who don't know what they have and expect to have found some hidden treasure. These stores include Petco, Petsmart, Petland, and just about any other major chain pet store or big box store. These stores purchase the animals they are selling from suppliers who give them little to no information on the animal's genetics. It is rare, in my experience, that these businesses hire folks who actually know how to identify reptiles and their morphs. Purchase instead from a specialty shop or directly from a breeder and ask questions before you purchase. Those questions should include; what morph, if any, is the animal? You should also be asking what the animal is feeding on, is it feeding consistently, how long they've had it, and where did it come from? Now if you only want a pet and genetics and background don't matter to you I suppose it's okay not to know those things, but if at some point you decide to relocate that animal do not expect to get top value for an animal with no information. Information has value and if you don't have the information you don't have the value plain and simple. However, I would still strongly urge against against purchasing any reptile, bird (technically a reptile), amphibian, fish or medium to large mammal from any of these stores. Purchase them from the people who are going to help you when you have questions about their care like your local specialty shops or a breeder. Any reputable breeder or specialty shop will be more than happy, not to mention qualified, to assist you with an animal you purchase from them whenever you need it. Most will do this even when you haven't purchased the animal from them out of concern for the animal if nothing else, but it seems to me that rather than continuing to purchase animals from someone who can't help you you would give your breeders and specialty shops who you rely on for help the benefit of your patronage out of respect and gratitude if for no other reason. Afterall, they work hard to provide you with quality animals, and they put in the time when you need assistance.
Photo credit below: Kayla Bell aka Queen of Kings, make sure to check her out if you're looking for high quality king snakes or milk snakes. https://www.facebook.com/Queen-Of-Kings-191963914895203/?eid=ARAr5tB3Wq0kftulLDUxBQhBKHYhRoul7lECDxmojVlkWXtoXI_i7IXBP-1_5Ugtc8AHlPgvL5E4HgUO
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