Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A question for all you breeders out there. Have you noticed whether or not a "problem feeder" trait is passed on to offspring? Meaning if two former problem feeders are bred will the babies be more likely to be problem feeders themselves? Or perhaps have a larger percentage of problem feeders in the clutch?

Bill

Bill,
I am not sure if a feeding response is genetically passed to offspring. I have had clutches of Alterna that only 2 out of 8 hatchlings readily fed. With Thayeri there are always more feeders than nonfeeders in my clutches. With one pairing that I raised from hatchlings (both were good feeders) their offspring mostly all ate but there were still a few stubborn feeders. I have stubborn feeders with my Brooks, Splendida, Californiae and Meahllmorum. It is not confined to just the Mexicana species.
I have heard of people claiming that they cull out nonfeeders and keep only feeding offspring to strengthen their Mexicana line. I have never heard of anyone of these people having an entire clutch of Mexicana that all fed right after their first shed. I think it is pointless. I would never let any hatchling Mexicana or snake for that manner die. There are numerous methods that can easily start a neonate feeding then eventually feeding on thawed mice.
I wonder what others on this forum has witnessed with their Mexicana neonates. I think the feeding "trait" is just as variable as Mexicana themselves.
John Lassiter