Quote Originally Posted by Gloryhound View Post
While I could not see putting a creature down just because it is flawed in some way that did not prohibit it from general life type activities, I don't think it would be an animal I could sell as a breeder if I knew it had it, but then again if you are breeding 50+ snakes a year do you really have the time to sit down and really study each one for mental or balance type abnormalities that can only be seen a couple times a day? IMO if you breed animals and breed something that you know has a possible genetic abnormality you should be ready to take care of the snake unless care of the snake requires extreme measures, like it can't swallow its food! If you do sell one you should make sure the buyer knows up front that he is possibly getting a genetically flawed snake and that snake should only be a pet and not used as a breeder. Then again you get back to the large breeder with 20 or more clutches a year they don't really have time to deal with a lot of pet snakes!
I respectfully disagree with you about reputable breeders and them not knowing their for-sale stock. I have dealt with three breeders who fall into your category of breeding 50+ snakes a year and having in excess of 20 clutches and I can assure you that the breeders TAKE THE TIME to know what they are selling. My '06 spider came from Adam at 8Ball and he absolutely knew about the spider he was selling me.
Please, don't let numbers of snakes cloud your vision for the passion that some breeders have for turning out totally top-notch reptiles for other breeders and hobbyists. The breeders I deal with know their stock and handle their snakes.
Okay, coming off my soapbox now......!