Links to info on Spider wobble?

[Twosnakes]

Did a minor search on this site and found out some good information. While I do not own a Spider, I have thought about adding this morph eventually down the road.
I have yet to breed a single snake. I have been kept by several (most experienced snake keepers know that we are kept captive by our animals... feeding, cleaning, taking photos, etc.. lol!).
I do know a bit about basic genetics. I showed and raised dogs for over 7 years.. and while I know it's like comparing apples to oranges the basics are the same. Most breeders try to breed to 'type'. I want to know what are the advantages (besides some beautiful snakes!) vs. the disadvantages of owning a spider, and adding it to a breeding program?
thanks in advance!!
Samara

[Freakie_frog]

Advantage..they make really cool combos and are really pretty morphs in their own right.
Disadvantages..they tend to need food, water and a weekly cleaning..

That's about it..

[Twosnakes]

OK let me rephrase... keep in mind I am very new to BPs... is the wobble considered a neurological problem? Does it cause problems later in life? How old is the 'oldest' spider on the board? (Ah HA! Have I started a new contest? LOL)
Thanks again!
Samara

[rabernet]

OK let me rephrase... keep in mind I am very new to BPs... is the wobble considered a neurological problem? Does it cause problems later in life? How old is the 'oldest' spider on the board? (Ah HA! Have I started a new contest? LOL)
Thanks again!
Samara

All spiders are descended from a single spider that first reproduced in 1999 - so the oldest living spider, outside of the founding animal could only be 11 years old right now - they're still relatively new.

You'll hear different debates on whether it's neurological or not. It doesn't affect my four spider's ability to eat, grow, shed, defecate and breed. All of mine have a very, very mild bit of it, you have to really look for the head shake (kind of like a Parkinson's tremor). One of my four hatched out as a train wreck (completely twisting on himself) but now shows extremely mild head shakes.

It can be very disconcerting the first time you see it (usually late at night while you're watching them cruise their tubs - they'll stretch their necks up and then it looks like they start to lean backwards very slowly until they tip over). But I think everyone will tell you that spiders as a rule are very outgoing and their personalities make them most keeper's favorite snakes in their collections.

[BPelizabeth]

Can we just make a sticky about the spider wobble??

[MarkS]

If you don't mind my comparing apples to oranges, it might be helpful to imagine spider balls as being similar to pug dogs. Some people might consider the short faces on pugs to be a defect because it can cause dental problems, breathing problems and a lot of snorting and slobbering. On the other hand, a lot of other people consider them to be very adorable sturdy little dogs with big expressive eyes, they are very popular as pets and many people breed them.

Spider balls can have strange tremors and twisting movements that at least make them look like they may have a neurological disorder, some can be very severe some are hardly noticable at all, but they all appear to have it to some degree or another. Some people will consider this a defect, but many others will consider the fine spiderwebbed pattern of these snakes to be very pretty and pleasing to the eye and so they are also very popular as pets and many people breed them.

I guess it all depends on your perspective.

[WingedWolfPsion]

It's very rare for the spider 'wobble' to actually impair the snake, and it doesn't lead to any need for medical treatment. They have a reputation for eating very well, and my spider is always eager for food. He does miss, but it doesn't seem to phase him...he just comes back around and grabs his food from a new direction. Some of my other snakes seem put-off when they miss, and might even refuse food afterward, but not the spider.

Sometimes I wonder if they have a clear idea of which direction is 'up'...it might be an inner-ear issue. But the tremor makes it look more neurological. They're perfectly willing to put their head upside-down and leave it there for a while, which is something most snakes won't do to that degree.

They get where they want to go, eat, drink, defecate, and breed normally, and don't appear to be distressed, so I don't think the spider mutation needs to be considered detrimental in captivity.

[Twosnakes]

Thank you all SOOO much for your kind replies! Very refreshing to hear intelligent answers phrased in way that is easy to understand and in such a friendly, informative way.

Knew I'd like it here!
Samara