Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is an approximately 2 yr old female...The tail is not injured it was a defect....do you think she will be breedable?

My first snow bull...

She probably could breed without a problem since the defect seems to be a good distance past the vent.
That being said, it usually isn't a good idea to breed snakes with birth defects since you're potentially passing those bad genes to the offspring. If it was due to an injury I'd say go for it but if she was born that way I would personally keep that snake out of any breeding projects.
Chris

>>She probably could breed without a problem since the defect seems to be a good distance past the vent.
>>That being said, it usually isn't a good idea to breed snakes with birth defects since you're potentially passing those bad genes to the offspring. If it was due to an injury I'd say go for it but if she was born that way I would personally keep that snake out of any breeding projects.
>> Chris

I agree. That said, it shouldn't be a problem, but if the tail IS too short (it is close to what I think might be "borderline", then the male may be unable to breed her. They use the tail to position themselves vent-to-vent. If the tail is significantly too short, it can be impossible for them to line up properly. Only way to tail for sure is to try it. I'd make her a non-breeder, though, if it is possible that it could be genetic.

KJ

I'd bring it back to whoever you got it from!!!

>>I'd bring it back to whoever you got it from!!!

The time to do that is before you acquire it (not buy it if something is wrong with the animal that bothers you) or as soon as you open the box if it is shipped to you and not represented properly. Once you decided to accept the animal, changing your mind at a later date and expecting the seller to "take itr back" is just plain silly. I'm not sure where you were going with this advice. It looks like it is a well taken care of PET even if it can't be used as a breeder.

KJ