Quote Originally Posted by jinx667 View Post
I think the claim that we only line breed for looks is not accurate. Over time, breeders also refine things like clutch size.

This brings back the point made earlier about really looking at the Normals that you use in your projects. If you have Normal female that is a monster egg layer, it is not a bad idea to get her genetics into what you are working on. But, she still helps if she is a nice looking Normal, or at least carries visual traits that you are looking to integrate into your project.

But back to the bigger point. Fly by night breeders who are just putting together whatever animals are not looking to improve ANY of this. They are looking to make a quick buck and do not care if they are producing sub-par animals.


While discussing this topic over on the BLBC, a good point came up that some folks like the ones that may not be considered optimal examples. The example of using a browned out Pastel as a dark morph enhancer. I see the point here, and if someone wants to breed a line with a specific trait for a specific purpose, then bravo.

Once again, the folks I am complaining about are not thinking on this level. it is all about a quick $$$$$.
I think a lot of the sub-par animals are also caused by people buying from local pet stores rather then from bigger and more reputable breeds or stores and then going home and thinking they can breed them. I know of breeders in my area that sell their seasons left overs to pet stores because they are lower quality and are unable to sell them to hobbyists because of it. Granted, I bought my first ball python from a pet store but I got lucky and she was from a breeder who had to get rid of his collection and the pet store had all paperwork and genetics for her.