Reptile & Amphibian Forums

By all these different morphs coming out, I was told by a veternarian that we were actually weakening the animals genetics. He also stated that the lifespan would be cut short as opposed to a normal "wild" ball python. Any thoughts?

Probably some truth to this. In the wild the morphs (genetic defects) would cause an animal to be more easily preyed upon. Also by breeding various morphs, you sometimes end up linebreeding or increasing the defect to a more pronounced level which can weaken the genetics of the offspring.

I agree that most vets do not know their head from a hole in the ground when it comes to reptiles...but genetics is genetics...line breeding will lead to detriments in the gene pool...we will most likely not notice it..but examples are failure to thrive and early death...I am fortunate to have a friend in the reptile hobby that is also a vet...a good reptile vet...he is the best.
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Michael Enriquez

>>By all these different morphs coming out, I was told by a veternarian that we were actually weakening the animals genetics. He also stated that the lifespan would be cut short as opposed to a normal "wild" ball python. Any thoughts?

I would like to see an official study on that...(Which isn't even possible yet when you consider that morph breedings have not been around as long as the average lifespan of the animals in question.)

Besides...the equation is "apples and oranges"...since wild pythons do not have the health benefits that captives do...(ie,no predators,diseases,or parasites.)
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Charles Glaspie

Linebreeding will not shorten the life of a ball python. Keeping balls in captivity certainly won't lessen the lifespan of a ball python either. Balls have no natural predators in rubbermaids in our basements like they do in the plains of Africa.
Morphs however, if released into the wild (why anyone would, I'm not sure, your vet might be sippin' some wobbly pop)
would certainly be picked off as their colourations don't necessarily blend into the surroundings.
I've found that the majority of vets in pratice are awesome if your dog has been stung by a bee, or if you cat has a slight limp. For reptiles, in my experiences, are pretty useless. If fact, a while ago, I was shown one of the textbooks that veterinary students study from, and of a 1200 page book, there were MAYBE 15 pages dedicated to herps (thats ALL herps).
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www.strictlyballs.ca

I disagree, it has nothing to do with colour morphs. The genes you reveal now do not have any influence on the lifespan because they are not related to any disfunctions.
In the wild it's just not the right camouflage.

If you could compare with dogs, some morphs like bulldogs have a respiratory issue due to the the line breeding. If this would happen with balls then your vet is right.
Something like this has not occured yet with ballpythons.

But as we seen with spiders, caramels, super cinnies..some deformities happen; as long thet it has no influence on the animals behaviour it has no effect on the lifespan.

My 2c

Not true-inbreeding by definition will have a variety of effects BESIDES producing the morphs we are breeding for. And these effects have been documented in all animal breeding for literally centuries. Reduced lifespan is just one well known effect.

Brad Chambers

OF COURSE balls in vivaria lead an easier, more predator free life.

OF COURSE captive balls have the benefit of veterinary care, ideal temperatures and an unlimited healthful food supply.

But all that has noada to do with the vet's point. He is talking about the deleterious effect of inbreeding. The "inbreeding" and "line breeding" necessary to produce the maximum number of "visual morph" offspring can't help but reinforce "bad" genes in addition to the "good" (our definition) genes we are breeding for.

That is why thoughtful breeders make sure to outcross to "wild-type" balls as often as possible. genetic diversity is beneficial and desirable.

Brad Chambers

that got the vets point. I agree with what everyone else said but that was not the vets point. Are we reinforcing bad genes? I say yes.

There was a study done quite a few years back on albino's by a university and the results were that the genetic structure of the animals were affected. I am not sure to what degree but it did affect the quality of that blood line. Does anyone else recall that research? How about you Michael C at ballroom your always good for some trivia?
Erick Markstaller
Exotic Designs

I am a pitbull breeder, and as a breeder, i look for things like the resporatory, and the limps, hips, fauls, and then fix those dogs, and not breed them, if a line consistenly breeds those, they are stopped. But, the problems, the good and the bad, the good genes double up also, you didn't mention that, you only stated the bad ones do, so if theres, more good genes that are doubling up than there are bad ones, then go forth!right?

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having the balls to try something, and having the balls to do anything, are two separate things!

Take a look at what kind of Dog Food your Vet may sell/carry....

If you see Hills or Science Diet blah, blah...then you can assume your Vet is not really up on lifespans and actual animal needs.

That food STINKS!

SATAN

>>By all these different morphs coming out, I was told by a veternarian that we were actually weakening the animals genetics. He also stated that the lifespan would be cut short as opposed to a normal "wild" ball python. Any thoughts?
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Word Satan!!
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www.strictlyballs.ca