Sable Hognoses
The Sable gene gives a western hognose extra dark pigment. This makes for a deep brown snake that gets darker as it grows, with some adults nearly black. A lot of its appeal comes from combination. It deepens lighter genes like Albino, Axanthic and Toffee Belly.
About the Sable gene
The Sable gene in the western hognose (Heterodon nasicus) makes for a darker, richer brown compared to a normal. Its value comes largely from how it affects other genes. When bred into lighter morphs like Albino, it increases both colour and contrast.
Appearance
Because of the extra melanin it carries, a Sable looks like a rich and dark brown across its body compared to a normal western hognose. This colour does not settle at hatching. As the snake matures, it darkens. Some adults end up close to solid black, so a young Sable shows less of the gene than it will at full size.
Genetics
Because Sable is recessive, any individual without a visual appearance looks like a normal western hognose. You will see the list include Sable, Het Sable, 50% Het Sable, 66% Het Sable and Pos Het Sable. Most keepers find the named combos. These are Sunburst for Sable with Albino, Stormcloud for Sable with Axanthic, Mai Tai for Sable with Toffee Belly, and Black Ice for the Arctic Sable. A blue-grey cast on Stormcloud hatchlings fades as the animal ages. The gene was first produced by Dan Eby.