The Homo Beige is a combination mutation of two Tower Beige genes. The effect of the combination produces a Beige chinchilla which is very pale in colour compared to a Heterozygous Tower Beige (one gene), with white belly fur and the same ear colour. The eye colour, instead of being a ruby red colour, is a dark colour.
Genetics of the Homozygous Tower Beige
The Homo Beige is a 'double dominant' mutation. When paired to a Standard, a Homo Beige will produce 100% Heterozygous Beige progeny.
Where BB = Homozygous Beige (two genes)
Where Bb = Heterozygous Beige (one gene)
Where bb = Standard
| Punnet Square of Homo Beige x Standard | B | B |
| b | Bb - Beige | Bb - Beige |
| b | Bb - Beige | Bb - Beige |
In order to breed a Homozygous Beige, you require a Beige gene to be passed on from each parent to the offspring.
| Punnet Square of Heterozygous Tower Beige x Heterozygous Tower Beige | B | b |
| B | BB - Homo Beige | Bb - Beige |
| b | Bb - Beige | bb - Standard |
Or, a mating of Homozygous Beige to Heterozygous Beige gives the following...
| Punnet Square of Homo Tower Beige x Heterozygous Tower Beige | B | B |
| B | BB - Homo Beige | BB - Homo Beige |
| b | Bb - Beige | Bb - Beige |
Although the Beige is an established mutation, the Homo Beige is rarely seen on UK show tables. They cannot phenotypically (by sight) be definitively separated from pale colour phased Heterozygous Beiges, so they are judged in the same class as the Hetero Beiges.
There are no particular aspects to breed for in terms of the Beige Mutation over that of a good Standard, so by crossing the best of the Beiges with your top quality Standards, good results can be expected. In the case of Homo Beiges, in order to retain this colour, each parent must always have at least one Beige gene (making it a Beige, Pink White, Brown Velvet, Brown-white cross, etc, etc) meaning that Homo Beiges are ALWAYS bred from mutation-to-mutation matings.
Beiges do tend to oxidise easily in direct sunlight, so care should be taken to avoid this, since it leads to an oranginess to the tipping of the fur, which is very undesirable.
When exhibiting a Homo Beige chinchilla, it should possess all of the qualities of a Standard, but be of a blue-beige hue rather than the blue-grey hue of the Standard. In the UK there are several breeders who specialize in the Beige mutation, and although Hetero Beiges are often the winners of the 'Best Mutation' or 'Reserve Best Mutation' at NCS (UK) Shows, Homo Beiges are rarely seen...