Albino (Kahl)
Type: Recessive
First Produced By: Peter Kahl
Aliases: Kahl Albino, Lipstick Albino
Issues: Photophobia
First Produced In: 1992
Availability: Rarest
Last Updated: 2022-04-18
Do you have any suggestions or corrections for this article?
Click here to contribute feedback
About
Kahl Albino is a recessive mutation founded by Peter Kahl in 1992.
Peter Kahl has been the first who successfully bred T- Albino Boas. This is the reason why they are known as the “Peter Kahl Strain” or “Original Strain”. There´s another T-Albino line existing – the Sharp Albino, first bred by Brian Sharp. These two lines aren´t compatible what is important to know and has to be considered when you´re buying your first animals so you don´t get disapponted when you breed them. There´re also T+ Albinos existing. [1]
Issues
Photophobia
While the word photophobia literally translates to a "fear of light”. Its not actually that you are scared of light, but instead, are incredibly sensitive to it. Animals with albinism experience photophobia due to the lack of pigment in the iris, which does not allow the eyes to filter out light.
History
The best-known lineage of Albino boas, first bred by Peter Kahl of Maryland in 1993, is descended from a single wild-bred tyrosinase-negative (t-) Albino male brought into the U.S. in the mid 1980s. [2]
In 1983, four newborn Albino boas were imported from Colombia. The group consisted of three males and one female. Over the next six years the boas grew to sexual maturity. The owners were unable to get the boas to successfully reproduce, which resulted in their decision to sell one of the males. This single adult male Albino boa was bought by Peter Kahl of Baltimore, MD.
Peter paid $25,000.00, at which time was probably the largest amount ever paid for a single snake. Pete acquired six female Colombian boas and quarantined them from the male. In November of 1989 the seven animals were placed together. During December and January, the Albino male repeatedly bred each female. In June of 1990 two of the six females produced babies. These babies were the first heterozygous for Albinos ever produced. As a result of heavy feedings, the babies were nearly six foot in length within one year. Due to their size Peter decided to put a group together for the 91’ breeding season. The decision paid off. In June of 1992 the first captive born Albino boas were produced. The litter consisted of 22 babies, three of which were Albino. [3]
In 1992, Peter bred a male Albino Boa (one of 4 Albino Boas imported into the U.S. in 1983) to a Het Albino female to become the first person to reproduce Albino Boas in captivity. This strain (or line) of Albino Boas are referred to today as Kahl Albinos, or the “original” Albino. [4]
Appearance
Head
Kahl Strain Albinos have pink tongues and red pupils.
Body
The Kahl Strain Albino still carries the pattern of a Normal Boa but all dark pigmentation is stripped away, which gives it a large contrast against especially into adulthood.
T- Albino´s aren´t able to produce black pigments, but red and yellow. This is leading to a beautiful red / yellow appearance but often also tends to become yellowish when they mature. Combinations with Jungle, Hypo, Blood, Pastell or Bcc blood influence (Lipstick line) are increasing the amount of red and also improve the appearance of the animals a lot and cause that they even look more beautiful with every shed. [5]
Tail
The tail follows the same coloration as the rest of the body.
Proven Lines
No known proven lines
Related Traits
Combos
- Avalanche (Arabesque Albino (Kahl) Anerythristic (Type 1))
- Junglow (Hypo Jungle Albino (Kahl))
- Moon Glow (Hypo Albino (Kahl) Anerythristic (Type 1))
- Moonglow (Hypo Albino (Kahl) Anerythristic (Type 1))
- Snow (Albino (Kahl) Anerythristic (Type 1))
- Sunglow (Hypo Albino (Kahl))
- Red Dragon (Blood Albino (Kahl))
- Sun Dragon (Hypo Albino (Kahl) Blood)
