Looking at these guys today gives me a different perspective. They are all very active and are doing well. Partial stripe wasn't very accurate a description. I should have been more specific. For about 1 to 2 inches starting at the base of their skull several have 2 side by side dorsal rings. These rings are elongated and about an inch or a little longer on one side or the other. Instead of a zig-zag they are connected almost completely straight forming more of a giant elongated oval type ring. Maybe there was something about the temps since this snake has a completely different set-up then what was previously used. It is in general 5 degrees cooler and higher in humidity. This female was of minimal age/maturity/weight as well although she was bred to a proven male. My first litter ever had a baby whose spine was kinked enoughed that I euthanized (maybe the wrong term here) immediately. I had to feel for 2 or the 3 kinks and really don't think I would have noticed the 2 if I wasn't looking for it. It never ocurred to me to checks for abnormalities or defects. I haven't ever checked a single one for a palate problem. we do this routinely on dogs and occasionally on cats, it just never crossed my mind.
Two questions.....
1) If this breeding were to be done again, I am understanding that a completely different outcome may happen. Is that correct?
2) Is it okay to probe them tomorrow? I actually met the other Rainbow fellow in Lubbock and he seems to be willing to help. I could probably keep 1 or 2 and 4 that I want to choose from.
Thanks,
Linda
>>Linda,
>>...Congratulations on the babies. The connected zigzag pattern along the back is fairly common. Those partial stripes are not so common. Some folks will be in a hurry to pay extra for them. The ones with just small defects at the tip of the tail will do fine. Many people are happy to buy snakes with small defects for a little less than regular price. Many breeders think, and perhaps correctly that pattern abnormalities, spinal kinks and more serious defects are caused by incubation/gestation temperature not being right on. I am not sure about that theory but I think if you have enough baby snakes you will have to eventually see some with defects. I have had quite a few snakes with defects born here over the years. A couple with one eye, one with no eyes, spinal kinks, malformed palates and one two headed Colombian Rainbow.
>>Jeff
>>
>>>>I really don't know what to think of this litter. They seem healthy and robust, but I'm disappointed in the way they look. I will not repeat this breeding. I don't know what to think of the connected dorsal ring thing. Just out of curiosity....if this exact breeding were to be repeated could I expect more of the same with more emphasis on crooked tails and connected dorsals? I am kinda going for a look here and this just wasn't it. Please don't get me wrong....I am thrilled to have a healthy, biting, fullterm litter but I have an idea (could be egotistical) of what I would to produce and I want to be moving toward it.
>>>>
>>>>anyway....must have been the batteries......
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
-----
