Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Are runts ok to keep and breed? I got a Gray Band Alterna and he's really small and he has a kink in his tail. Can he grow up nice and strong with no problems? Will his tail straighten out? Or should I not select him as a breeder?

I also had an alterna hatch with a slightly kinked tail this year. About a month ago I posted asking for possible reasons for the kink. There were two dominate explanations: 1) temp fluctuations during incubation and 2) genetic deformity casused by inbreeding and/or bad genetics.

I used an incubator with a high low digital thermometer, and know it could not have been the temps because the recorded high and low was 84° and 80° respectively.

The parents were from two totally different places. The female from a zoo curator in FL, and the male from Captive Bred Specialties. Both the parents are stocky and 42" . In my opinion, the genetics explaination doesn't really jive either.

That being said, I am going to donate the snake to a teacher friend's bio classroom for a classroom animal and be assured that it will not be bred.

Most breeders pick the healthiest, best feeding, best looking animals for their breeder stock. I suggest that you hang on to that snake as a pet and find some perfectly heathly alternas that have a strong feeding response on f/t pinks to raise up for your breeders.

Pictured is the snake with the kinked tail. The kink is so small it is not noticable unless you feel his tail with your fingers, but it is there none the less...

Good luck,
Tom

Thanks for the advice Tom. I think I will keep him as a pet because I do like his colors and temperament. And who knows he might even prove me wrong in the future. He did take his first pinkie last night which I was excited about. Here's a pic of the little guy.