Learning to take the bad with the good.

[gsarchie]

The eyeless fire is a beauty for sure. I'm happy for you that you didn't have anything worse than some missing eyes as a result of the spike!

[mbgirl17]

Adorable little special babies! Sent you a PM!

[rlditmars]

Thank you to everyone who responded.

And yes, even without eyes they are beautiful, everything I hoped from the pairing. I am humbled and touched everyone has offered the little fire a home. As of yet, I don't know if it will be staying with me or not. Since I have one eyeless snake already, and everything about her is normal as can be, I have high hopes for these babies doing well. Since I know the cause of the issue with these, I wouldn't feel bad letting them go to be potential breeders in the future. Which brings me to a question.

Please answer honestly. Would you, knowing the cause of the eyelessness, willingly buy a baby such as that fire with the intention of breeding it in the future? It wouldn't be the same price as a perfect baby of course, but would you even consider it?

Gale

Gale,

First let me say that I am glad for you that most of the clutch is healthy.

While you do know the cause of the eyelessness, you don't yet know the full extent of the mutation that has occurred. You are only considering the visual. Not to be a downer, but are the animals sterile, has their life expectancy been altered, if they can reproduce, what mutations may occur, what about neurological issues, etc.?

The are beautiful animals and there is the possibility that they will thrive and there is nothing wrong beyond what you can see. But since you asked, my opinion is that you should consider it fortunate that the animals survived at all, and look to keep them or adopt them out as pets with the stipulation they are not to be bred. From what I have read about other similar animals, they could make someone a wonderful pet, or for the person who posted that they do education, what an example of developmental genetic mutation caused by external stimuli? However, with the possibility of unknown variables, it may be irresponsible, for lack of a better word, to put them back into the gene pool. Just my $0.02

[Salamander Rising]

Thank you to everyone who responded.

And yes, even without eyes they are beautiful, everything I hoped from the pairing. I am humbled and touched everyone has offered the little fire a home. As of yet, I don't know if it will be staying with me or not. Since I have one eyeless snake already, and everything about her is normal as can be, I have high hopes for these babies doing well. Since I know the cause of the issue with these, I wouldn't feel bad letting them go to be potential breeders in the future. Which brings me to a question.

Please answer honestly. Would you, knowing the cause of the eyelessness, willingly buy a baby such as that fire with the intention of breeding it in the future? It wouldn't be the same price as a perfect baby of course, but would you even consider it?

Gale

I would take the eyeless baby without hesitation.
I have a huge soft spot for the 'less than perfect' things of this world.

That was what initially got me into dog rescue many years ago.

I brought the 'death row' unwanteds home and fixed them up.

The staff at the local shelters thought I was crazy because I'd take the most wretched dogs home...until I came back a month later with a glossy, healthy, beautiful dog at my side.

One Doberman, the shelter lady refused to believe it was the same dog until I opened its mouth and showed her the dog's very distinctive 'distemper teeth'.

I love the things that others consider unlovable.

In retrospect, that's probably how I ended up with snakes.



Though I probably wouldn't hesitate to breed it, it would mostly just be loved especially dearly because it's very 'special'.

[Salamander Rising]

Quick Update.

As of right now, another baby has joined us, a fire. There is also another head out, a second eyeless fire. The remaining egg appears to be another fire, this one has both eyes.

Pictures:

Baby # 2, who did NOT want to sit still for a photo!


Baby # 8 another fire. Darker than the others, but ohhhh the blushing!



Baby # 9, the second eyeless fire.



Group Photo!



Gale

They're all so dear.

My heart goes out to you and them.

Surely, the little eyeless ones deserve extra love and the best lives possible, considering.

[angllady2]

I thank you all again, and I appreciate your honest opinions.

Truthfully, I don't think these guys should be bred. There is the distinct possibility of other problems or complications not visible being present, as was brought out. Even if I kept them, they would never be bred. However, given the huge step that they can hunt and feed and shed and potty and grow normally, and that is a huge step, I can see letting some of my dear friends here provide them with forever homes, much like I did my Athena.

I will continue to update everyone on their progress, and if all goes well in a couple of months perhaps a few of you will have new friends.

Gale

[DooLittle]

I'm kinda like Salamander, lol. My husband says I always pick the most needy, bad off animals. I just always feel sorry for them. And I know they will be loved in my house. I guess that's why I live in a zoo, but I wouldn't have it any other way! I hope your little babies thrive!! Please do keep us posted.

Sent from my ADR6350 using Tapatalk 2

[Robyn@SYR]

Sorry to see that, some great looking visual patterned animals.

[WingedWolfPsion]

I would breed an eyeless animal I produced, if I knew the issue were due to a temp spike, and it was thriving. The risk of a reproductive issue doesn't seem particularly high to me. I'm not sure I would buy one, however.

[kdreptiles]

It's always the prettiest snakes that turn out pet quality. So sorry for the guys with no eyes, but they sure are cute!