Quote Originally Posted by lillyorchid
A ball can live 20+ years. I really think it depends on that snake, it's background/history, and it's owners husbandry efforts. I know Pete's original Pied is at least 20 years old, maybe a bit older since Pete guess he was about 10 when he got him. That snakes really looks like a wise old man.

On the other hand some snakes die young for no reason at all. They are fine and bam one day you just find one dead. Some are older then others, some extremely young. I do believe it really does play in to the bloodlines and how the snake is kept. Just my 2cents.
That's interesting and I agree with your points...but it makes me wonder. The original pied...was is captive born or an import? What about his other snakes? It goes back to my curiosity if an import would be more robust then a CB. It is like the bubble boy...live your entire life away from disease and natural stresses and you aren't equipped to deal with diseases, hence a shortened life.

The other thing your posts brings up is by all the imbreeding and selective breeding are we creating genetically deficient animals.

This might be a good thesis for my Ph D. LOL