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  • 03-30-2016, 09:26 AM
    javst0
    Ball Python Genetic abnormality
    Hey now. I just purchased my first ball python recently. it was from a reptile expo in Brentwood NY and it was a very nice looking killer bee/spider morph. I wish I had known about its "wobble" before hand as I would not have purchased it but...

    In any case I am now an owner of a very nice yellow and black mouse terminator. He has a ravenous appetite and will stay in his hide for a few days before coming out but when he does he starts to freak out and corkscrew and "stand up" straight to touch the top of his tank then lean his head backwards until it touches the floor and will stay in that position for a minute or two then he will just lay down for a breather and start all over again and this will go on for hours until he tires out and goes back to his hide for 18 hours only to repeat his behavior again the next night. Is this condition severe enough for the snake to cause itself serious injury or possibly accidental death, should I have to consider taking it to the vet and have it put down? I am considering getting a second snake, maybe a Super Pastel or Banana but am wary because I don't know if either of these two species have its own type of genetic abnormalities also? The vendor who sold me the killer bee said that its around 7-8 months old and I have it in an exo terra medium terrarium I think its dimensions are 18"'x18"x12" and am getting ready to move it into a 20 gallon long tank this weekend. Will this glass tank be sufficiently strong enough to handle his wobble once it gets older and heavier or should I think about getting an acrylic tank later to handle its stronger vibrations?
  • 03-30-2016, 09:38 AM
    StillBP
    Sounds like he has a bad wobble. Alot of spider morphs show wobble even tho they all have it.
    If he can eat on his own and move around i would probably not put him down.however your will be the only one who can make that decision as he is your responsibility.
    As for breaking the glass i highly doubt he ever will.
    But again you need to do whatever you think is best.
  • 03-30-2016, 09:39 AM
    Rob
    Re: Ball Python Genetic abnormality
    Do not let the wobble discourage you from the spider gene. It does not hinder the snake from eating, breeding or living a normal life. If anything I think spiders have the best personalities when it comes to bps.


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  • 03-30-2016, 10:10 AM
    Prognathodon
    Re: Ball Python Genetic abnormality
    It sounds like he's moving fairly slowly, not slamming around with a lot of force? If so, I wouldn't worry about the tank. But you might look at some threads in the BP Husbandry section and consider a PVC cage or plastic tub, if you haven't already bought the tank.


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  • 03-30-2016, 10:17 AM
    Prognathodon
    Re: Ball Python Genetic abnormality
    PS: All of our snakes (colubrids, boas, carpet pythons, and non-spider BPs) will sometimes do the standing/going up the wall thing, and even start going back along the ceiling until they flop or abort. It's like they forget about that pesky gravity thing. [emoji4]


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  • 03-30-2016, 11:06 AM
    GoingPostal
    He does this for hours on end for multiple nights?
  • 03-31-2016, 07:40 PM
    piedpipper
    That's totally normal for a spider and like Rob said I think it would be a poor decision to put down a beautiful animal like that just because they move a little funky.
    What you're describing does not sound at all bad for a spider. As prognathous said all snakes will go up the wall - its just because spiders have less control of their actions they tend to get disoriented a bit...
  • 04-07-2016, 06:06 AM
    cristacake
    I'm very sorry that you weren't told about the wobble beforehand.

    A lot of people will claim that a bad wobble has no ill effects on the snake and doesn't affect quality of life, but honestly I'm of the opinion that it does. It's a touchy subject, since the animals can't tell us themselves how it makes them feel. In any case, I think some people can excuse a lot of things in breeding when the animal has a desirable phenotype despite its health issues.

    Whether you put it down is really an ethics thing that you will have to work through.

    Did you tell the person who sold you it that you were unaware of the genetic issues present in the spider gene and that you would not have wanted to buy that animal had you known? Even if you're still going to keep this BP, I think you should let the seller know so that they will be more responsible next time and put a 'disclaimer' if you will on all animals they sell that are carrying genetic defects.
  • 04-07-2016, 08:00 AM
    MarkS
    There is no reason to put it down. One thing I've noticed about spiders is that the wobble gets worse when they're excited or stressed. It's possible that the wobble will become less noticeable once your snake becomes more used to it's new surroundings and becomes more comfortable. Yes a 20 gallon long should be suitable for your snake for a very long time. It won't matter how strong the snake gets, it's wobble will not break a glass tank. Make sure it has a secure escape proof top and cover most of the top with a piece of clear plastic to hold in humidity. when checking your temps, make sure you measure it on the floor of the cage where the snake is and not half way up the side of the cage where it will be much cooler and the snake will not be spending any of it's time.

    The wobble is the reason I prefer not to work with the spider mutation anymore. There are various other morphs that are also prone to this like sables and champagnes but not usually to the extent that spiders are. Somewhere on this site is a thread that points out the various problems with certain mutations but I can't remember where it is right now, maybe someone else can post a link.
  • 04-07-2016, 09:15 AM
    JodanOrNoDan
    Re: Ball Python Genetic abnormality
    Best info I have found is here. http://www.owalreptiles.com/issues.php

    No need to put the animal down. If he is comfortable in his surroundings eventually his symptoms will reduce. I was very bothered by them in the beginning when I acquired one by accident. He is a super mojave so the guy that i got him from did not realize he was spider. I now have another spider. Both had significant wobbles in the beginning. They are some of the best "pets" in my collection. I have been studying them pretty intently and gathering data. I have some suspicions about some things but I am going to wait until I have a larger group to make any conclusions.
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