Re: Things I Wish I Had Known Before Buying A Ball Python
I wish I had truly grasped that a fasting ball python isn't a sick ball python. Going from reptiles such as corn snakes and spur thighed tortoises to balls has started turning my hair grey.
Re: Things I Wish I Had Known Before Buying A Ball Python
Quote:
Originally Posted by
SDA
I would much rather people stop describing the spider gene as a defect. Look through this forum and you will find a wide range of posts about how well spider ball pythons are as eaters and how well they thrive. The "defect" should not be labelled that because it causes zero health concerns with the snake. One could go so far as to categorize albinism in ball pythons as a defect and health wise could be assumed to be detrimental to the longevity of the snake simply going off of documentation of consequences of albinism. My point is just because there is a "condition" in a snake, that is no right to call it a defect or consider it unfit for ownership or breeding. Albino snakes for example live long and healthy lives in captivity, just like spider ball pythons.
I have a spider ball she's called Wobs (wobbles) I kinda agree with what your saying but I would still call it a defected gene but really it's just a mutation but then that's all the morphs are. But it's like you say albino anything (snake, human, whale) is a mutation or a negative way of saying it is defect but you wouldn't call a albino human a defected human. Yet albinos do have shorter life expectancy but when you buy a albino ball no one tells you that and doesn't get the bad press a spider ball gets. Mine does have a wobble but I think it's cute in the wild this would be a problem but as she has no predators in her Viv it's no a problem. Having said that her wobble isn't that bad and she will corkscrew when I handle her. It's when I come to feed her. It's normally 50/50 if she strikes and gets the rat if not I have to but it in the Viv resting on a vine and she does a slow strike to get it. She still eats every week (normally) but can take a while for her to get it. I didn't know about the spider wobble untill after I got her. I think if I had known I probably would of avoided a spider because of the bad press everyone gives it but since having one I would get another spider she's perfect.
All morphs with spider in it do have the wobble but some could have no sign at all and others could be a lot worse
https://ball-pythons.net/gallery/fil...101_194704.jpg
