spider ball wobble

[neilgolli]

This is strictly my opinion - I do not believe that the spider wobble is neurological, but rather an equilibrium problem with the spiders. I have four spiders, every one of them has a wobble.

If you pulled open their tubs, took them out, handled them, let them crawl around, you'd say that they didn't have the spider spin.

But sit quietly in front of their tubs at night when they are exploring their tubs, and they move differently than the rest of my collection. When they get to the top of the tub, they will sometimes twist over backwards, wobble, etc.

Since all spiders are descendants of one animal, and the wobble is known to be associated with the gene, I do not believe that it can be bred out - and that it's tied to the spider alelle (sp?).

Again - this is only my opinion - but I'd be willing to bet if owners who swear that they have non-wobblers observed their animal's movements at night, they would see that they behave differently from their other ball pythons.

I don't personally believe it to be a bad thing. All four of mine are eating and nailing their food (it doesn't inhibit their ability to effectively dispatch their prey), growing and shedding. I think that it adds to their quirky personalities and I don't mind it.

I will say that to a first time spider owner, it can be a bit disconcerting, even if you know it's a trait of the spider - it was to me.

I think it's time to stop being fearful of the "dreaded wobble" and instead accept that it's just part of the spider charm.

Dead on rabernet,

I've seen, touched, produced hundreds of spiders and crosses. I never believed my original male "wobbled" at all, for years I never saw him do it. HOWEVER if you go to my building and look in his tub at 2 am as he is out and looking around, sometimes he will just be hanging out with his head completely upside down. All the combo's do it as well, do not let anyone tell you any different as you will one day be disappointed if your unable to sleep and go look in his enclosure late at night.

No amount of crossing or out breeding will change this fact as I believe its a gene trait. The color and pattern gene must just fall near or be connected with their motor traits. This has zero effect on their quality of life. Spiders are know to eat great, breed young and to have more personality than any other morph. No collection, big or small, is near complete without the spider or combo of it in it as its one of the greatest morphs out there.......