"Most" defects are caused by environment. Temps are the culprits in most cases. Depending on the severity of the "kinks" most can lead a normal life. A slight kink is nothing to worry about. It's possible if the kink is very slight the boa can "out grow it" and be completely normal. If the kink is too severe it can become worse as the boa matures. If a boa is missing an eye or two... they can still lead a normal life. As long as there's no infection involved with the missing eye/s then it should be alright. A boa doesn't have to have the Albino gene to have 1 or both eyes missing, but in many cases the Albino gene is a factor. Where the Albino gene is involved the eye defects "could" be genetic.

Any boa that has a defect, such as a kink or missing an eye should never be bred. If the defect is too severe it might be best to have the animal euthanized. Especially if the animals "quality of life" is affected by the defect.

[ Hide Replies ]

• Birth Defects - sidneydawson, Sun Jul 16 20:45:59 2006
• RE: Birth Defects - Amanda_Burke, Sun Jul 16 22:59:47 2006
• RE: Birth Defects - az_gunner, Mon Jul 17 00:05:40 2006
• RE: Birth Defects - PastelDream, Mon Jul 17 01:24:59 2006
• long winded answer, ; - ) - rainbowsrus, Mon Jul 17 11:04:40 2006
• RE: long winded answer, ; - ) - sidneydawson, Mon Jul 17 21:00:49 2006