Posted by:
ChrisGilbert
at Mon Jun 19 15:15:46 2006 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by ChrisGilbert ]
thankfully most breeders have outbred their stock enough that Albinos are fairly strong. Although there are exceptions.
The problem with Albino females comes when they are gravid. Since they have NO melanin they have a much more difficult time holding their body temperature at a high enough level. They can not retain heat like other females can. Usually females darken when they are gravid to retain heat, and albinos do not have this ability.
Often the babies aren't really full term because of this. They can be born with bellies filled with yolk, and have trouble digesting (this usually affects albino babies). Babies that are born this way can die because of it, again a lot of breeders have learned how to care for the babies and they are fine and are later able to breed.
Both of my Albinos, a Sharp and a Kahl, are females ('06 and '04 so I haven't bred them, but am not worried). With the types of morphs available now, I think Albino females are very beneficial.
As long as you have a good set up and have completely controlled environments for your female you shouldn't have ANY problem with Albino females. One recommendation has been to keep them at slightly warmer temperatures when they are gravid.
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Well... - ChrisGilbert, Mon Jun 19 15:15:46 2006