the spider wobble

[Jenn]

In his book "The Complete Ball Python" Kevin states that spiders tend to have a unique personality compared to other BP's. I didn't really believe it when I read it a few years back, but I do now. I have a spider and a bee both with a case of corkscrew and wobble, and they are by far the most friendly outgoing snakes I have ever owned.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I've honestly never heard of a normal displaying the wobble trait--nor any other morphs from spider clutches. I think it's another good nail in the coffin for the idea that the wobble can be separated from the spider gene.

If there are normals that wobble--have they anything to do with spiders in their lineage, or is it just a random rare occurrence? I think folks would have spoken up loudly before now if spider sibs were showing wobbles. None of mine ever have.

[p3titexburial]

What I have experienced with my spider is a head shake... When she holds her head off the ground it will shake ever so slightly. Picture someone with an unsteady hand holding it out level, their hand will shake a bit. This is what her head looks like.

She also likes to look at me "upside down" when I hold her in my hand.

So far these little quirks have shaped her personality and have not affected her well being.

My male mojave does it as well--but it's so minute I didn't even consider it being a form of the head wobble. He has no spider gene in him as far as I'm aware of.

Could be a random occurrence.

[cinderbird]

I've honestly never heard of a normal displaying the wobble trait--nor any other morphs from spider clutches. I think it's another good nail in the coffin for the idea that the wobble can be separated from the spider gene.

If there are normals that wobble--have they anything to do with spiders in their lineage, or is it just a random rare occurrence? I think folks would have spoken up loudly before now if spider sibs were showing wobbles. None of mine ever have.

ive read threads here about bees that wobble mostly (other than spiders i mean) , i haven't heard it in other spider-plus morphs but i dont see posts about them very often in regards to this topic.

As far as the normals that wobble, i'd think its an unrelated event to the spiders.

Perhaps a poll is in order for more info?

[DesignerBP]

I have a spider with a severe head wobble and he cant even get a rat off the tongs. i have to hold the rat by the spiders neck and when he feels it he'll start constricting. other than that he eats and drinks fine and is a beast of a breeder.

[rabernet]

its assumed that the issues are associated with the spider gene, normal sibs (ie those without the spider gene) won't exhibit it because, they dont have the spider gene.

That said, i've heard second hand that there are normals that exhibit some of the same problems like corkscrewing and head wobbles .

I've also heard the same thing - but those normals weren't necessarily a result of a spider breeding.

Every spider cross that I've seen in person myself also displays some degree of wobble, even if it's as minute as the funny head tilt. IMO, it's definitely linked to the spider gene.

[WingedWolfPsion]

All combo morphs that carry the spider gene are just as prone to 'wobble' as plain spiders are.

Sometimes ordinary hatchlings will shiver or tremor when they're stalking prey, but not to the degree that spiders do.

I think that 'wobble' is misleading, as a term--the problem includes far more than just wobbling itself. It can be all or any single one of the following:

A tendency to tilt the head slightly to one side.

A tendency to spend time with the head upside down, and be slow to right the head (though they appear to know which way is up eventually).

A Parkinsons-like tremor when the head is held up (wobble).

Spinning (coiling in rapid circles abnormally, often when the head is touched).

Missing--they are prone to miss prey on the first strike. All balls can do this sometimes, but spiders may do it frequently--they generally turn and come right back for it, though.

[bxsrt8mag]

well i have a male 08 spider he stated the wobbles a month after getting him i got him at a show it was a hatchling i think he might have had 1 meal. now hes about 250g but he has the wobbles bad when ever he moves he starts the wobbles. eating no problem. so he will be a pet for me so i will just buy a bumble bee. it makes me worry about the spider i've seen some nice spiders at shows but to scared to get one.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Don't be surprised when your bumblebee wobbles too.

[bxsrt8mag]

yeah thats what im worried about to i had some people say not to mess with them. Then some say with double or triple morphs it does'nt show.