Quote Originally Posted by kc261 View Post
Were they? I believe only one wild spider has ever been found, and all of our captive spiders are descended from that one animal. I have no idea if he was an adult, or maybe even a CH, which would mean he never was in the wild at all. I suspect the wobbling issues may be related to why another wild spider has never been found. If he was CH, or if he was young when captured, maybe he is the original mutant, and just never got a chance to breed. Or maybe he is the original mutant, was able to survive ok, but his wobbling preventing him from breeding in the wild. Who knows? But even if spiders may not be able to survive and reproduce in the wild, that doesn't mean that most of them aren't plenty healthy enough to be just fine in captivity. Albinos don't do too well in the wild either, but just because they are an easy target for a predator doesn't have any negative affect on them in captivity at all.
The first spider was a WC Juvi if memory serves. Does this mean that he is the only spider ever produced in the wild..My thoughts would be no..Since its a "dominate" gene either its mom or dad had to look like a spider .



I've heard this before, and I'm not saying you are wrong, but it makes no sense to me. It is not like a spider has fewer genes than a spider combo. Why would pastel, for example, reduce the wobbles any more than the normal gene on the pastel locus? I wonder if this is just a rumor, or if it is true, does anyone have any explanation for it?
Because we don't know the exact reason that a spider wobbles it is possible that it is missing something on the genetic level that can be replaced by adding another gene in with it. We just don't know.


I've not been aware of BP morphs for long enough to be sure, but it seems to be that there are fewer problems with caramels kinking than there used to be. Maybe all the outcrossing that has been done as people produce hets and combos has helped. Also, some people are trying to find ways to avoid it, for example I remember reading about someone (Tim Bailey maybe?) who was keeping track of some stuff regarding humidity during incubation because there may be a correlation.
Or maybe because there is such a huge stink about the kinking that breeders are just not admitting they produce them or aren't showing them to people. There is a theory that the internal pressure of the egg can increase the risk of kinking in the Caramels. Tims idea is to lower the humidity and by doing so reducing the internal pressure of the egg. Its still just a theory..It also may be genetic like scoliosis in people


So I think there is lots of possibilities to reduce or eliminate some of the problems that are seen with some of the reptile morphs. Reptile breeding is still in its infancy compared to something like dog breeding. I actually think the reptile world is doing WONDERFULLY by selecting for colors. Compare it to such things as the already mentioned dog breeds, or long fins on fish which make it hard for them to swim, or quarter horses with tiny feet which often caused lameness issues, and you'll probably agree we could be doing a lot worse.
I agree I my mind we are doing better at trying to produce better quality animals. In time we may see some of the problems and oddity's we are now facing be bred out.