We have completed the first stage development of this strain resulting in phenomenal looking heterozygous offspring. We utilized an exceptional peach-orange L. m. thayeri male in the first year of heterozygous production. The result was a single clutch hatching showing both ‘milk snake’ and "leonis" phase hatchlings with heavy L. m. thayeri pattern influence and peach-orange body color. Subsequent heterozygous production was accomplished utilizing an extreme version peach-orange "leonis" L. m. thayeri male. This has resulted in an extreme peach-orange body cast and classic "leonis" narrow banded red in ALL of the offspring. These most recent offspring are almost indistinguishable from pure L. m. thayeri even though there is 50% L. ruthveni genetic influence. There is also an almost complete retention of the extreme peach-orange body cast into adulthood (as pictured above) with these heterozygous albino hybrids. We are anticipating a gorgeous and unique outcome in the albino development considering the peach-orange body cast and classic "leonis" L. m. thayeri pattern with the first albino production expected in 1998. The L. m. thayeri founder stock possessing the peach-orange trait were originally collected near the village of Doctor Arroyo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

The characteristic fire orange and lemon yellow coloration of L. p. pyromelana has greatly influenced the outcome of this variety. Developed from top quality Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountain pyro stock bred to the two color varieties of albino L. ruthveni , the heterozygous and albino outcome has heavily favored a mostly Arizona pyro appearance. The next stage development of breeding albino (50% L. p. pyromelana / 50% L. ruthveni ) back to pure L. p. pyromelana to produce heterozygous offspring with 75% L. p. pyromelana genetic influence will take place in 1998.

The first stage outcome of this hybrid strain have been offspring with both pyro and L. ruthveni color and pattern traits leaning toward a basic pyro or L. zonata look. The characteristic lateral white of L. p. knoblochi has not occurred in the 1st generation heterozygous albino offspring yet, but further back breeding utilizing our best Type II L. p. knoblochi males for pattern influence will hopefully produce positive future results.

A very pleasing first stage outcome occurred in developing this variety utilizing extreme quality orange-apricot L. t. campbelli. The characteristic apricot band carries through with full intensity in many of the heterozygous albino offspring and appeared in two of the first four albinos produced in 1997. An additional outcome in this hybrid strain has been extremely docile behavior derived from the calm L. ruthveni influence.