An albino snake is a type of snake that is born with a genetic abnormality known as albinism, which is a lack of pigmentation in the body and eyes. This leads to snakes that are white in color, or may be lacking a particular coloration that is typical, for example a snake that is usually yellow, white, and red might only be yellow and white. Albinism also typically causes a snake’s eyes to be solid red in color and may reduce the snake’s eyesight. Corn snakes and Burmese pythons are both fairly common types of albino snakes.
Albino snakes do not belong to a particular species of snake, but are instead various types of snakes that are born without the usual pigmentation seen in the species. This can be caused by genetic mutation or intentional breeding in an effort to produce snakes with a particular appearance. Albinism can also be an accidental result of breeding attempts to create snakes with a different type of coloration, which can inadvertently pair snakes with a genetic predisposition to produce albino offspring. Regardless of the intent or nature of the pairing, an albino snake is typically identifiable by the distinctive red eyes and light coloration.
An albino snake does not necessarily have to be solid white, as some people may initially imagine based on albino mammals that are typically very pale with white hair. Because of the variety of colors in snakes, a single pigment may be missing due to albinism, and the albino snake may still be yellow, cream, or light brown. Albino corn snakes, for example, might be missing red pigmentation and still have yellow and brown coloring that provides the characteristic maize patterns that give the snakes their name. The popularity of corn snakes as pets has led to extensive breeding, which has in turned has produced a decent number of albino corn snakes.
Similarly, albino Burmese pythons can be quite common, and may even be bred for their unique coloration for sale to snake enthusiasts. Burmese pythons are typically several shades of light and dark brown, with very recognizable skin patterns and coloration. Albino Burmese pythons, however, typically lack the darker brown pigmentation and instead appear white and yellow or very light brown, but with the same patterns in the colors. An albino snake otherwise retains all the usual behaviors and habits of non-albino specimens of their species, with both corn snakes and Burmese pythons being non-venomous constrictors that feed on a variety of animals.