Quote Originally Posted by eracer View Post
The idea that wobbling and the spider morphology are somehow 'natural' is a red herring. It occurs in the wild, but who here really knows whether nature would select it out? I suspect that a neurologic disorder like this in a snake would increase the chance of predation, and reduce the chance that the spider morph would continue as a sub-type. But what do I know.

Not sure who has said they're "natural" ..? I mean, in a way, sure; they weren't created in a laboratory. The first spider mutation did appear without the aid of man. I agree, though, that I think it's very doubtful that they would have survived without man's intervention.

Do I think that means that they shouldn't survive? ... I think the big question is, does the mutation we're propagating negatively affect the animal's quality of life? I don't think having a different paint job gives the animal any lower self-esteem, so for 95% of our morphs that isn't an issue.

Does the spider "wobble" affect the animal's QOL? ... I really don't know. For a large portion of our spiders that have very little neurologic derangement, I would say that no, it doesn't, at least 99% of the time. I cannot, however, say the same for the "train wrecks" that are upside-down most of the time. Maybe it doesn't bother them and they are just as happy as any other captive snake in its safe, warm, secure, well-fed state. Then again maybe they live in a permanent state of malaise and existential frustration; I don't know, I'm not a neuro snake.

@Reptiledanny -- I don't believe, based on what I've read and seen, that the spider and woma are in any way related. They do kinda look similar. I think that the woma is a great alternative for those who are turned off by the spider "wobble." I think, though, that the reason the woma hasn't simply replaced the spider is because, in my opinion (and I don't think I'm alone here) the woma crosses can't hold a candle to the same crosses made with a spider. (Ex: "wannabee" versus bumblebee, etc.) People just seem to like the spider crosses better.