I am asking for input from other breeders. I recently bought this snake (I am not saying from whom yet). From the first day I got him, he never "slithered" like other snake, kinda just dragged his body along. On the 10th day that I had him, I found him all "kinked" up along his back from half his body to his tail. I immediately took him to a vet. The vet told me that this was caused by a genetic defect. He checked him for being constipated/impacted (like some people have tried to tell me it was), but that was not the case. I have given this information to the person I bought him from & he keeps telling me that I don't have im warm enough & that if it was a genetic problem, it would have shown up at birth (the vet has already told me that it could show up at any time). Has anyone else seen this?
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Help!! Has anyone seen this genetic defect in albino boas?
Replies (4)
Theres soo many birth defects associated with some breed mutations (such as albino's and many ball python mutations can too). Lack of genes within their gene pool, and soo many have inbred. I've seen alot with eyes missing, and kinked tails are common too. This is not something you've done to your animal. And it sounds like, from whomever you purchased the boa from, is trying to deceive you and in the end rip you off. You should definatly try to return the snake in order to get your money back! The poor snake doesn't look like it should remain alive either, I'm sorry to say. =( I'd be furious with the seller, and you definatly have your right to be happy with your purchase as the buyer. People like those selling snakes like yours give herpers a bad name and should be stopped. Keep us informed, and good luck.
the mother was keeped to warm, hope this helps,,,,Greg
That looks like what happens when the snake is exposed to excessive heat during the babies developement. My bet is that it's heat, not genes that caused that.
However, it looks kinked and bent enough that if it were my snake, I'd demand my money back. Give the seller that opportunity.
Doug T
>>the mother was keeped to warm, hope this helps,,,,Greg
As far as I know, the jury is still out on whether this sort of defect is genetic or environmental. I lean towards an environmental cause simply because of the number of species that have produced kinked babies.
I concur that the snake should be returned. Good luck.
Paul Hollander
