Thunder Bay T+ Northerns

[Ophidiophile]

I was fortunate to be able to get 3 from Ray this year. All have shed recently so I thought I post a photo of each one. They are all progressing well and IMO quite beautiful!

Number 11 was the runt of the litter and is the most deeply colored of the three:

T11-10-18-14a.jpg

Number 5 has the most dark color where the black lateral spots should be but they're all purplish instead of black:

5T+10-1-14.jpg

Number 4 is probably the palest/lightest:

T4-10-18-14a.jpg

Really enjoying these guys. Can't wait to figure out the sexes though I have my guesses...

[Seadation]

They are looking Great! These guys sure are stunning, they really don't even look like a northern almost like a totally different skink. I'm sure you are glad you picked them up. How big are they? Mine are over 15 inches already I'll post some pics if mine later.

[Ophidiophile]

I weigh all my skinks but don't measure them. That runt is tiny. It eats great and is half the size of the others. I don't think the other two are 15 inches yet but probably 12-13" or so.
Would love to see photos of yours.

[xxmonitorlizardxx]

Probably my favorite color phase of the Northerns!

[Richard.C]

Very nice

[Teacup]

#2 might just be my favourite.

Btw, what does the T+ stand for? I have been wondering for ages!

[Ophidiophile]

Btw, what does the T+ stand for? I have been wondering for ages!

"T+" is a shorthand for "Tyrosinase positive albinism". Tyrosinase negative albinism is the one most people commonly recognize, where there is a complete absence of the dark pigment (eu)melanin. This pigment is converted from its precursor by the enzyme tyrosinase and T- animals lack it. In the tyrosinase positive form, melanin IS synthesized but for some reason cannot be held in the melanosomes, the bodies that hold melanin. That said, in T+ animals, there is sometimes deposition of some melanin either initially at birth or sometimes progressively as the animal grows. Also, sometimes melanin will only be deposited in some areas of the body and not in others. In reptiles, T+ albinism is also sometimes called "caramel albinism".

All this said, we actually don't know exactly what the trait is that these northern BTS are showing. But its appearance is most consistent with T+ "caramel albinism".

[Teacup]

Btw, what does the T+ stand for? I have been wondering for ages!

"T+" is a shorthand for "Tyrosinase positive albinism". Tyrosinase negative albinism is the one most people commonly recognize, where there is a complete absence of the dark pigment (eu)melanin. This pigment is converted from its precursor by the enzyme tyrosinase and T- animals lack it. In the tyrosinase positive form, melanin IS synthesized but for some reason cannot be held in the melanosomes, the bodies that hold melanin. That said, in T+ animals, there is sometimes deposition of some melanin either initially at birth or sometimes progressively as the animal grows. Also, sometimes melanin will only be deposited in some areas of the body and not in others. In reptiles, T+ albinism is also sometimes called "caramel albinism".

All this said, we actually don't know exactly what the trait is that these northern BTS are showing. But its appearance is most consistent with T+ "caramel albinism".

Thanks for the great explanation!