Quote Originally Posted by blackcrystal22 View Post
I agree with you Michelle, as well as I understand Tim's point of view on this matter... I think that your idea with physically injured and recovering snakes not breeding even after recovery because of possible physical issues down the road is intelligent. And I think Tim's idea is very solid too, but I feel like he's almost discussing a different idea with breeding healthy WC females, but I could be wrong.
I agree with Tim as well. I don't see a reason not to breed a healthy Wild Caught specimen. It's already imported, it's no more stressful on the body than a Captive Born, why waste the genes?

So, I agree that breeding a Wild Caught animal is fine, genetically speaking. However, the Wild Caught animals I have worked with were not physically capable to to clutch and recover. Most of the Wild Caught fosters/rescues that move through this house are generally in very poor condition. One was burnt so bad, you could hardly tell that it was a Ball Python, another had been left in with a hungry rat for a few weeks, others had bacterial infections, mouth rot, severe Respiratory Infections and Chronic feeding issues. Most of these animals came to me scarred, underweight, dehydrated, not feeding, etc.

I will also probably never purchase a Wild Caught animal to breed. So, chances are, I will never breed a Wild Caught female. Not because of genes either, I think their genes are stronger than most Captive Born animals. I just enjoy raising my personal collection up from hatchlings.

That was my statement. That I, personally, will not breed them.