Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The herp pet trade tends to feature morph reptiles anywhere I look. They are often more pleasing on the eye than natural herps for some, however before I go out and pick up a hypo tangerine leopard I figured I'd educate myself a little more on the natural vs morph situation.

Do naturals live longer than morphs? Are there any negative aspects (aside from initial cost) of a morph vs a natural? The morality of the issue doesn't bother me as much as potential lurking scientific data that highlights the negatives of such selective breeding.

An old friend of mine (keeper of iguanas and turtles) was uncomfortable when I showed him some stunning pics of tangerines, snows, carrot tails, and leuristics. He mentioned shar pei's going blind at an early age and a bunch of other health problems related to being overbred. I'm sure this forum may also contain opinionated folks on either side of the fence.

By purchasing a morph herp would I be supporting a negative behavior of the pet trade? Can anybody point out any good public articles on this topic that cover both sides?

How long has it been since the morph leopard trade kicked in to high gear? As leopards live 10 (some even 25!) years old is it possible that the effects of such selective breeding are still not fully understood?

PRO:

* beautiful morph breeds being more appealing to the eye could help generate interest and sympathy for herps from non-herpers. A more herp friendly world would be a great thing.

CON:

* selectively breeding for appearance rather than health (disease resistance, longevity, etc) could be doing a disservice to the gecko breeding stock in the long term.

I have no exposure to herp breeding, but have to canines and equines. Dogs and horses are papered and often have a long bloodline history and educated breeders who are very careful to prevent overbreeding of their stock. I would guess that when you buy a herp you are not getting lengthy lineage histories, and might think that mistakes are more easily made with the shorter breeding cycle of herps, mistakes of identity, or historics being shared between buyers and breeders.

I'm not trying to start a morality flame war here (maybe its a non-issue to the majority of the herp crowd?). I've been preparing a leopard habitat for several weeks now and simply want to hear from the herp community on this topic.

Thats a good question and another example i've heard that dalmations have been so inbred to keep their spots that they've become well "stupid".
Personally i think its a preference of athestics. I don't care what mine look like as long as they're healthy and captive breed (no parasites/diseases)

There has been some talk about inbreeding causing deformities (tail kinks, blindness, etc.) I have never breed anyhting in my life, and this is what i've read through reptile forums. Inevitably though through common sense inbreeding/selective breeding will weaken the species. Most animals sold in pet store or by breeders will not have the deformities though.
If you want to start a movement against the inbreeding and over saturation of leopard geckos in the pet market then go ahead But really no one will or has the right to judge you if you end up with a sweet looking "red" gekco

There really isn't much controversy over morphs. There have been several debates about inbreeding. I have stated my opinion against inbreeding. I own/breed several different morphs, I am very cautious about buying from different breeders and don't breed back the offspring to the parents. I am a little partial to the normals myself, pastels are a close second. Jungles are neat too. I have hypo tangerine, albinos, and so on... after awhile they all sort of look alike to me. If you are just getting started, I wouldn't lay out a large amount of cash for one. You can find some good looking morphs (if one catches your eye) for about the same as some normals if you look in the right places.

I have what i think is a high yellow...(correct me if i'm wrong !). He's a normal cheap gecko but i find him the cutest of all . I think that taste is something that cant be discussed.

-----
Mizar 21
1.0 Collared lizard (Ganymede)
1.0 Leopard Gecko (Gethsemani)
1.0 Nerodia Fasciata (Serpentard)
1.2 Cats

Inbreeding and line breeding can have set backs, but dont really. Ron Tremper's been inbreeding for 30 years. I know many other 'big breeders' breed offspring back to parent to bring out more color and desirable traits. I also know of big breeders who dont line breed or inbreed.

I personally favor bold stripes and jungles over tangerines. Its ultimately a matter of personal likings. I havent heard of certain color morphs have different life styles then others (more diseases, earlier life etc.)

Michael

While its not proven just from my own experience and from reading the forum for about 2 years ive noticed different morphs have different personalities...Paternless and trempers being really mellow(of course tangs and the others can be put into this catagory too) and blizzards being quite mean (not all i have heard from a few people that theirs are nice)But pick a morph and ask around and youll find out what ones have the personality that suits you.
-----
-Bryan

Reflex Geckos Check it out!