I haven't got a ball python, but I certainly enjoy reading the threads here and looking at the photos everyone shares. What with all the copulation photos, I started wondering about... inbreeding. I've seen some photos where the two snakes breeding are immediate relatives to one another.

I wouldn't be surprised if this is a controversial issue, and I really don't mean to start a heated debate, but my curiosity has the best of me.

Generally incest/inbreeding causes genetic problems in future offspring, and I'm assuming it's the same with snakes. I'm just wondering if breeders have experienced any negative effects or if they limit the inbreeding allowed to prevent any consqeuences? Basically, what's the standard views/opinions/experience when it comes to inbreeding snakes? Does it even happen that often?

Again, not looking to start a flame war or angry battle of opinions. I'm just genuinely curious as to what standards people use, how common inbreeding is, and if it has any noticeable effects.
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0.0.1 Okeetee corn snake "Apollo"
DeviantART Gallery

[ Hide Replies ]

• Inbreeding? - Dragonflychaser, Wed Dec 6 21:54:37 2006
• RE: Inbreeding? - HappyHillbilly, Thu Dec 7 00:35:26 2006
• RE: Inbreeding? - idealreptiles, Thu Dec 7 00:48:17 2006
• RE: Inbreeding? - Herpout, Thu Dec 7 01:18:48 2006
• RE: Inbreeding? - joshhutto, Thu Dec 7 11:33:28 2006
• RE: Inbreeding? - Dragonflychaser, Thu Dec 7 12:26:28 2006
• re: bobble-heads - idealreptiles, Thu Dec 7 14:10:47 2006
• re: bobble-heads - blowitch, Thu Dec 7 14:37:32 2006
• cat - idealreptiles, Thu Dec 7 15:23:30 2006
• RE: cat - Dragonflychaser, Thu Dec 7 18:54:35 2006
• re: bobble-heads - joshhutto, Thu Dec 7 17:02:07 2006
• re: bobble-heads LOL!!!! - idealreptiles, Fri Dec 8 00:29:02 2006
• re: bobble-heads LOL!!!! - Herpout, Fri Dec 8 02:10:31 2006
• Inbreeding does not = worsened condition - Mahlon, Fri Dec 8 14:50:50 2006
• Humans have been around for 10,000 yrs?? - rwoodyer, Fri Dec 8 12:15:01 2006
• RE: Humans have been around for 10,000 yrs?? - Dragonflychaser, Fri Dec 8 14:20:00 2006
• RE: Humans have been around for 10,000 y - rwoodyer, Sun Dec 10 23:46:16 2006
• It all just depends.... - -ryan-, Thu Dec 7 11:43:52 2006
• Actually, you have a few misconceptions. - Mahlon, Thu Dec 7 11:53:06 2006
• RE: Actually, you have a few misconceptions. - Dragonflychaser, Thu Dec 7 12:31:12 2006
• RE: Actually, you have a few misconceptions. - Mahlon, Thu Dec 7 12:58:23 2006
• RE: Actually, you have a few misconceptions. - coldthumb, Thu Dec 7 14:36:05 2006
• RE: Actually, you have a few misconceptions. - Dragonflychaser, Thu Dec 7 18:50:37 2006
• artwork - Dragonflychaser, Thu Dec 7 18:50:18 2006
• Clarification - HappyHillbilly, Thu Dec 7 14:40:39 2006
• RE: Clarification - jyohe, Thu Dec 7 17:19:09 2006