Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a BRB with a crooked tail-tip. The last millimeter of her tail is bent up (think like a pug-dog tail). She was born like this.

My question is: do you think it would be ethical to breed her? It's not interfering with her health at all (though I have to help her get little bits of stuck shed off the very tip), and it looks to me like a simple birth defect rather than anything genetic. She is gorgeous and perfect in every other respect. I don't think it would be right to breed her, genetic or no. What do you guys think? Have you ever seen any BRBs (or any other snakes) with this problem?

Do you really think it's a problem?

I'm with you that it's a simple birth defect and probably doesn't matter that much. However, I am very curious to see how the clutch turns out.

I say breed her.

I wouldn't breed her to Investment Grade BRB's - Anery's, Hypos, Albinos etc.

I don't have any personnal experience with this but I do have an opinion. If it is only the last millimeter affected I would not think it would be noticeable by sight, and only an experienced person would notice it by feel. I wouldn't even think a millimeter could hold stuck shed unless it were several layers deep. Ideally ANY genetic defect would be cause to not use one as a breeder. If you have had the snake since day one and know it's malformation isn't trauma related (being shut in a deli-cup lid etc..) then probably it shouldn't be bred. However, if it is a genetic problem I would think that another of the offspring would be affected. Definately it wouldn't be advisable to breed it to another sharing genetic background. I think the question arises out of what you want as far as reputation as a breeder and knowledge of your potential breeder's history.