Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What are the side effects of inbreeding? Because i have heard that there are high birth defects and it weakens the blood line , but on the other hand i heard it is the only ways to establish a pacific color and morph. So basically my question is is it okay or not okay?

Yikes, This always stirs up a debate. The genetic pool for Beardies in general is pretty limited since only so many came in before they have been shut down to come in anymore, so no fresh genetics are making its way in. so in my opinion inbreeding should be kept to a minimum or best of all not at all. It does seem that in other lizards like leopard geckos and many snake species inbreeding is accepted for making better colors, morphs, etc. I have heard a few people on here that are pretty extreme with beardies when they say to freeze the eggs if siblings have produced eggs. But I don't think you have to go to that extreme if there is an accident.

I agree freezing the eggs of breeding siblings does sound extreme, however consider the longer term inplications of raising inbreds. The inbred babies can be expected to be weaker, smaller, genetically impaired, and in some causes curly and broken tails can be expected.
The weaker inbreds are then sold to new owners, who decide to breed there own dragons and it goes from there as they sell their babies.... the weakened genetics are now thoroughly incorporated into an already too weak gene pool in this country.

Irresponsible breeding is not only a bearded dragon problem, it happens with every pet species. Owners who want to breed either; a, because they can, or b, just to make a quick buck, should not be encouraged. Many dog lines in this country (german shepherds for example) are now so weak from inbreeding and line breeding to acheive certain show traits, that the majority of the population in this country now has some form of health defect. Breeding any animal should be left to those who take the time to research several generation back, who have the papers to prove the genetics, and who have the market to find new homes for the offspring.

Before anybody takes offence, this is just my opinion, and no I do not breed, I just keep animals for the love of them.
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Ross

0.2 Bearded Dragons (1 Yellow, 1 Chris Allen/Sandfire)

It's interesting that you asked that. I just purchased a beautiful female with spectacular coloring from a breeder who does not inbreed and takes special care to keep as far from it as he can. Go to Sundialreptiles.com and check out his sight. He says a lot about the matter.
Jamie

For the good of the captive species, I would avoid inbreeding at all costs. The bearded dragons we keep are already inbred enough, and that's probably why a lot of beardies you see coming on the market are going down in quality. There is a high occurance of birth defects in inbred beardies, even if you can't see them. With no new genetics to mix in, all of the problems that didn't show up in the parents, will now come out...or something like that. To be honest, I forgot a lot of this biology stuff from last year, but I know that it is generally not good to inbreed any species, even if the problems aren't apparent. It makes for weaker animals.

Of course this is all science stuff. To really know what happens, you have to see some of the defects that occur, like the broken/curly tails and whatnot.

just my opinion.

Inbreeding can also lead to smaller, weaker dragons. Some line breeding is sometimes done to bring out certain traits, but there is way too much inbreeding done already by ignorant hobbyists, who buy male/female pairs from the same breeder and dont bother to separate their new pets.
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A mans got to do what a mans got to do. A woman has to do what he can't.

Mom to:

1 little boy born 7/19/04
2 male RES, born 1999
1 ribbon snake, age unknown
3 FBT, ages unknown
1 female bearded dragon, born 5/2002
1 male lab mix, born 5/24/03
1 female calico cat, born 6/7/04

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sig file edited 1/29/05 [phw]