Leucistic Hognoses
A Leucistic western hognose is white without any pattern or head stamp. Its eyes are dark, unlike the red eyes of an Albino. Because hatchlings have a slight pink tint that turns to solid white as they age, a young snake is not yet the colour you will end up with.
About the Leucistic gene
The Leucistic gene strips every trace of pattern and colour from a western hognose (Heterodon nasicus). Instead of the brown blotches found on the wild type, this snake is plain white with dark eyes. Hatchlings show a faint pink tint, but it clears to solid white as they grow.
Appearance
A Leucistic adult is white all over from its nose to its tail. It does not have a dark head stamp or saddled blotches. You can tell a Leucistic from an Albino by checking the eyes. While an Albino also loses its body colour, it has red eyes and a Leucistic has eyes that are black, blue or grey.
Genetics
Because Leucistic is recessive, one copy shows nothing. Animals that are Het Leucistic, 50% Het Leucistic, 66% Het Leucistic and Pos Het Leucistic all look like a normal hognose. Breeders combine the gene with the homozygous form of Arctic to create Super Arctic Leucistic, and it has also been combined with Albino. The name is often shortened to Lucy in the hobby.