Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I just picked up an adult female with pretty ugly spinal kinks throughout her body. The woman I got her from said she's been that way since she was a baby. Said she's been fine and has eaten live feed her whole life. So I know she can at least coil. But I'm wondering about breeding. I do not want to harm her. Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

I have heard of kinking due to poor incubation but there is also word that it is a genetic defect that occurs in caramels.

I would be scared that if you breed that female she might be passing her poor genes to her offspring.

We need to keep ball python genes strong. I would just keep her as a pet.

just my .02 cents

Raul

You wouldn't want to pass something like that on to the offspring or their future offspring. Also, if shes severly kinked, you don't really know what kind of problems she might have with the egging process. IMO, just not worth the risks.
-----
Tosha

8.15.0 Ball Python (Harry and Fluffy and currently un-named)
1.0.0 Angolan Python
0.2.0 Feline (Pippen and Pandora)
0.0.1 Dessert Tortoise (Pope)
2.2.1 Fish (1,2,3,4)
0.0.3 Lizards rescued from pool skimmer

Cardinal Rule: If there is an obvious adverse defect, remove the animal from the gene pool immediately.

(Or at least that is MY opinion.)

Example: I've seen adult animals with freakish physical defects advertised for sale. These same animals are advertised as "PROVEN BREEDERS". This makes me paranoid. Are any of my animals decendants of these defective animals? Is it inheritable? Gosh...I seriously hope not.

Just A Thought,
Chris
-----
“Life sucks. Close your eyes and enjoy it." -- Me

...depending on degree and location of kinks, it variably increases the odds of dystocia (egg-laying probs)...the kinks don't affect hormone function and egg development, but passage of eggs can certianly be affected...how about a pic or two of this girl? Another thing is the overall size...get some good size on her before breeding....Scott

I'm not even sure if they are kinks. This snake came from a pet store and was sold "damaged". So, I'm fairly certain it was an import. Was it damaged during import? Who knows. She has good weight for her size and asided from the bumps, is in good shape and very calm.

Look real hard at the pics and you can see the bumps (about the size of a marble) at the top and bottom towards the tale. They even seem to be on the sides of the animal as well. I think I'm going to have the vet x-ray her just to satisfy my curiosity. At any rate, she has a real nice personality so in my book, that makes her a keeper.

-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

...of kyphosis (name for this) extending down ventrally, she could easily have trouble passing eggs I'd say...get some add'l size on her if possible before attempting breeding, or do like the others say and pass on her....Scott

.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles

Good call Jay, there is no reason to breed animals excessively, so why not only breed the animals most likely to pass on prime genes, and least likely to have problems?

For those suggesting to "put more weight on her", it won't get rid of the kinks, and if anything increase the chances of dystocia with variable degrees of obesity.

I think by weight, they really mean size. If the female is larger, presumably, it would be easier to pass eggs.
-----
Jay A. Martin
Jay Martin Reptiles