Ralph Davis Clutch Gone Wrong

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Originally Posted by ShawnT

So your saying Ralph is in this hobby for the money?

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At his stage in the game, I don't think it's considered just a hobby. ;)

What I am saying is that if anyone that sells deformed offspring is only in it for the money...and I do not agree with that. I think it's wrong to sell deformed offspring, and because you can't guarantee that the buyer isn't going to breed it (or sell it to someone else who will breed it), how can you ethically let that animal live when most breeders goal is to "better" the species? On a more "emotional" note, how do you know without a doubt that animal is not suffering in some way due to its deformity?

I had an entire clutch of Lavender Motley cornsnakes hatch out kinked last year. I culled them all. It sucks, but it's something a responsible breeder has to face sooner or later.

Culling is killing but how is it done?

First time I heard of that term.

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Originally Posted by N4S

Culling is killing but how is it done?

First time I heard of that term.

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Freeze them.

People assume snakes are like people, where if you have a child with a mother/son relationship it causes deformities. It is NOT the same thing with snakes. They have a completely different gene pool and some traits tend to bring out deformities but obviously he's learned and is going to apply that knowledge in the future. He's not purposely trying to create deformed snakes.

Also, I really don't think Ralph is in it for the money. I've watch a LOT of his videos and he shares his compassion with his family and children as well as his friends. He REALLY seems to care about the animals, I've never heard him talk about money or say 'wow these snakes will make me a good buck' but rather 'these animals are beautiful and magnificent'.

anyone that doubts rdr is crazy. you know you would all do the same if you were a big time breeder. also how do you expect him to get new snakes out there if hes not inbreeding. take plattys for example. if they wouldnt have inbred there wouldnt be close to as many lessers out for people to be buying a breeding.

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Originally Posted by TripleMoonsExotic

I think it's wrong to sell deformed offspring, and because you can't guarantee that the buyer isn't going to breed it (or sell it to someone else who will breed it), how can you ethically let that animal live when most breeders goal is to "better" the species?

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I'm going to have to agree with you on this bit.

However, I don't think its wrong if you want to keep a deformed snake because you feel it has a shot at a pretty normal life. I do think that if you make that choice, you should never let that animal leave your collection.

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Originally Posted by blackcrystal22

People assume snakes are like people, where if you have a child with a mother/son relationship it causes deformities.

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I'm not talking about just one or two generations. I'm talking about MULTIPLE generations of inbreeding and breeding of deformed offspring.

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Originally Posted by Spaniard

However, I don't think its wrong if you want to keep a deformed snake because you feel it has a shot at a pretty normal life. I do think that if you make that choice, you should never let that animal leave your collection.

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I agree...But how many of those deformed snakes that are not culled because that's what the breeder decided do you think still ends up in public hands?

In my example with the Lav Mots, I couldn't keep an entire clutch of kinked Cornsnakes. :weirdface Could you imagine that? 15-20 kinked Cornsnakes that you can't breed or sell. That's a lot of mouths to feed! :oops:

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Originally Posted by andwhy6

you know you would all do the same if you were a big time breeder. also how do you expect him to get new snakes out there if hes not inbreeding. take plattys for example. if they wouldnt have inbred there wouldnt be close to as many lessers out for people to be buying a breeding.

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No, I wouldn't. Getting more morphs into public hands is no excuse to weaken genetics by doing generation upon generation upon generation of inbreeding. THAT is greed.

You brag you'll say this crap to his face. Then why don't you go post your feelings at Ralph's house? That way he'd at least be able to defend himself.

I don't think deformed animals should be bred further or sold out, they should be culled as soon as you see the deformity. Keep the gene pool clean ;)

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Originally Posted by grunt_11b

You brag you'll say this crap to his face. Then why don't you go post your feelings at Ralph's house? That way he'd at least be able to defend himself.

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Bragging? I'm not bragging.
Anyone that knows me knows I have zero problems saying anything to anyone.

If this is the case then I recommend you take your hearsay and innuendo and implications to Ralph and/or his forum. He'll share with you what the facts are and your drama will cease.