I was told by a Zoology graduate from the University of British Columbia that albinism was nature's way of eliminating bad genes.

He said when two carriers of weak genes reproduce, the offsprings has a higher chance of having albinism. In the wild, an animal's appearance in terms of color and shade is a major defense system. Albinos, due to their unusual appearance, are more likely to be exposed, and therefore more variable to danger. Also, he said albinism causes direct health defects, such that animals including humans who have albinism, have poorer eyesight, more fragile skin, and a weak bone structure due to their inability to receive the proper nutrients from the sun. In the end he told me this was according to Darwinism, and that it was cruel to keep an albino snake.

I, as a major fan of Ball Python morphs, had a extremely hard time listening to this. I kept thinking about it, and debated whether or not to post this, as I know this is very undesirable thing to hear. It seems that his theory has some logic to it. I do not have any direct personal experience with Ball Python morphs but was hoping those who do could share some of their experience. Do albinos, or other morphs, act different in terms of health or behavior in comparison with normals? If so, are the health defects so significant that it is cruel to keep one? I really hope that his theory is not true, because I really want to own a piedbald some day.