champagnes.....do thy have neurological disorders

I was told by a friend of mine that there was a roomer going around that the champagne ball python has a slight neurological disorder and like the spider ball can show up when it is put under stress. Is there anyone else that can tell me if there is any truth behind this or if its just a roomer going around.

I think this is just a rumor... I've never owned a champagne before, but I've photographed and handled a few on several occasions. All of them seemed to be perfectly normal behavior-wise. Photography can be stressful on snakes with the big camera and bright lights, and I've seen it affect spiders and their combos badly but never a snake carrying the champagne gene.

Here's a LONG discussion about it:

http://www.reptileradio.net/reptiler...ad.php?t=21957

the thread basically shows the follow:

champagnes are 99% or the time ok. BUT when mixed into other morphs that have little problems, they cause problems. the thread comes from harlin (wall to wall reptiles)- he was one of those people who imported the first champs. he made the saffron this year and they showed these signs. he imagined that the super champ combo havent been done till now, cause the breeders fear that they have serious issues.

overall- most champagne combos and champagnes are ok. if crossed into spiders, sables, chocolates etc, they will cause problems like serious wobbling etc

i cant confirm it, cause i didnt own a champ but i suggest read that whole thread, to make up ur mind for urself

Very interesting read there. I'm glad not all of them are affected like spiders are, and on the whole it doesn't seem too serious.

I have three adults/sub adults and none have shown any issues. I've also hatched 12 hatchlings this year, crossed with several morphs, and haven't seen the issue. I do have one that gets overly excited when feeding, almost like a spider, but otherwise is fine. I suspect the combination that Harlin produced may be the issue. I guess we'll see what happens when you cross champs into other morphs. I still plan on trying to produce a super champ next year, we'll see...