Thoughts and opinions on the spider ball python

Hey guys

Excuse me if this discussion has already been covered just wondering what everyone's thoughts and opinions are on the spider ball python?

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I think they're beautiful snakes and I love the reduced patterns, but in my opinion it is immoral to breed them. All balls with spider genes DO have neurological issues, it's just about how badly they express it, if at all. But creating an animal that we KNOW will have a neurological issue is just greed for a quick buck for a recognizable, reasonably popular morph. All just my opinion! :) It's sad because I am so fond of the morph, though.

I absolutely agree with you! I am aware of the issue this beautiful morph has and again just my opinion (for people that are complete novices) I don't feel there is enough awareness about this morph and it's difficulties out there! Let and known again for the complete novice and people who like the idea of breeding even if it's not for financial gain people!

I guess what I'm trying to say is for people who frantically research/ or try to research or haven't done enough research and go into breeding they produce these beautiful snakes with even perhaps realised what they have produced and even in some cases how they have produced it! And I feel that more awareness should be out there!

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I completely agree! In my opinion there's nothing wrong with beginners purchasing a Spider, just because it is such a weird, hidden topic that people don't really talk about. I only found out and developed my own opinion after looking into buying a Spider morph, and even then it's so controversial that all sorts of arguments for both sides can be found.

IMO it's very similar to flat-faced dogs and cats - there are blatant health concerns, but they're such a staple in the pet community that it's a problem that needs to be fought with patient awareness and time. :)

Absolutely I mean if ever I stumble across a spider or 2 in a clutch (when I start breeding) which I shouldn't do as I am going to do my best at staying away from the gene! But should I stumble upon any I won't be selling them! Even if there is no apparent problem with any of them!

And that's my point about unknowing because some genes arnt all that apparent equally in some bp's I have seen the genetics of morph is so obvious like the banana but that said the pied isn't always obvious you can sometimes have a good guess that a bp is carrying the pied gene but not always!

I just feel that we as hobbyists have a duty to do the right thing by our animals and the species on a whole

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The search function is your friend 3 recent Spider threads from opinions to hypothesis to hands on experience.

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hlight=spiders

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hlight=spiders

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...hlight=spiders

Thanks for that Deborah :-) I wasn't nessacerily talking about this forum is was referring in general and also pets shops! People not doing research correctly ect [emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5][emoji4]

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Originally Posted by balls&corns1988

Thanks for that Deborah :-) I wasn't nessacerily talking about this forum is was referring in general and also pets shops! People not doing research correctly ect [emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5][emoji4]

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She's just letting you know that this is a redundant thread. Many people have recently commented on this exact topic in the ones she linked and are unlikely to repeat themselves here. There is no need to post this new thread, just join in the conversation in those threads or read the already-posted perspectives given there.

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Ok cool [emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5] will definitely do that thanks

And thanks for the replies [emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5][emoji4][emoji5][emoji4]

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Well between them threads alone they do cover all the bases!

And just about sums everything up so thank you again deb for sharing those links it's very much a grey area and that's all I am going to say more on the issue!

But thanks very much everyone for replies and interest [emoji4][emoji5]

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It's a difficult topic in my opinion.
I personally think that the Spider morphs are some of the prettiest ball pythons. I have one myself but I also don't know how to feel regarding their neurological issue. Some of them wobble so bad that it looks like they have IBD. If you look at the videos of the them doing corkscrews, you will have to admit that it is not the prettiest sight.
The sad thing is that the wobble is unpredictable. It can get worse with age but it doesn't have to. It can actually go away with age or occur suddenly out of the blue. Two healthy snake parents can have hatchlings with horrible wobbles and the other way around.
Personally I don't believe that the snakes are that bothered by it (they are not really complex beings) but the real question is whether or not it is necessary to breed them. Honestly speaking I believe it would be morally better if we stopped breeding them but I also believe that breeding Spiders is not a crime. Some people behave like it is. There are pros and cons to both sides. You have to choose for yourself what you think is right.
My conclusion is that it's a beautiful morph that has a terrible neurological disorder which can be but doesn't have to be severe. I think people should definitely should be a bit more cautious with Spiders compared to other morphs.