Quote Originally Posted by RandyRemington View Post
Yes Bill, I was thinking of you. Probably shouldn't have characterized you as a small breeder as I have no idea how many snakes you have produced but just not a huge number of caramels, yet...

The big breeder was Marcus Jane from this thread:

http://www.reptileradio.net/reptiler...t=12137&page=3

where Mr. Mandic reports producing 60+ caramels with no kinks.

I wasn't aware of Greg Gaziani's report. What did he say? Anyone know if his rats eat Mazuri 6F like the other two?

I also remember Morph King Reptiles from several years ago report to produce a large number of not kinked caramels. Interesting that even the people producing them have a lot of different theories on why but maybe with enough information sharing we can find the common link and find a workaround to revive this really cool morph. Otherwise I'm afraid caramel might get replaced by ultramel even though the look really isn't quite the same (nothing against ultramel, just would love to also see lots of healthy unkinked caramels available).
Small breeder for sure Randy -- and still a novice as well really.

Greg was not specific about number/% of kinking. He did incubate a lower temps -- 86 I think.

There are indeed many theories. I know I will continue to do what I have done thus far: outcross as much as possible, feed Mazuri to feeders, cook at 87 and WET, and be open to anything that will aide in making healthy Caramels.

There are a few small breeders friends, and a larger one, who believe the Mojave gene could be lending a hand in prohibiting kinking. Mojaves are widely agreed to be a robust gene that feeds well, grows fast, and breeds early. Could it also "water down" the inclination for the Caramel gene to kink?

I agree that sharing information and looking for trends is the best course at this point. I will hopefully be producing/releasing some Caramel Mojaves and combo Caramel Hets this year -- and look forward to the success of others with the gene -- a VISUALLY UNIQUE gene.