Shadow Hognoses
Shadow darkens and squares off a western hognose's saddles, then fades their edges so each blotch looks as if it has a shadow. The effect is subtle, so judge a listing on clear photos of the back, head and belly.
About the Shadow gene
Shadow is a pattern morph in the western hognose snake (Heterodon nasicus) that squares off and darkens the saddles and leaves a soft blush line between pattern and background, so each blotch looks like a shadow laid over the snake. The change is subtle rather than dramatic.
Appearance
The saddles are large and blocky, with heavy melanin along the back and a black border. Most animals show the blush line, a faded zone between the pattern and the ground colour, and that fade creates the shadow effect. The head can carry eyebrow markings above the eyes, and the belly runs dark, from near-solid black to a blurred grey. Head markings and belly colour vary from animal to animal.
Genetics
Shadow's inheritance is disputed: it is listed both as a dominant gene and as a polygenic, line-bred look. Until that is settled, a seller quoting pairing outcomes for Shadow is working from an assumption, so ask what breeding records back the claim. Animals are sold as Shadow, or as Pos Shadow where a Shadow is possible but not confirmed. Albino Shadow is one named combination.