Abnormalities and how to deal

As a breeder, you will experience problems, trials and tribulations. You will also experience joy and great pride in the animals you produce.

But, in this case, we are talking about the not so good times.

Abnormalities and deformations are a problem for any animal breeder. Of course, when life happens, things can go wrong.

In my personal experience, I have only had a few deformations with incubation issues or hatchlings.

Last year, I had one animal I had to freeze due to being deformed, and a few other issues in years past that have been logged in the blog.

With that being said, one problem deformation within a year and 30+ clutches is not a lot.

But, depending on the morph and depending on the incubation temps/mediums, that number can change drastically.

Take Caramels. Yes, they kink... Do you cull something that can survive if given the chance? That is up to you, the breeder.

If you do cull them, the numbers go up. If you don't, the numbers stay the same.

I personally only cull if there is NO possible way that the animal can survive alone and without assistance.

If assistance is needed (aka assist feeding, health issues, etc..), it is given. If the animal is just "messed up" but can survive, I give them to people I can trust to keep only as a pet.

Animals that are especially "messed up" should not be bred at all. That is a fact.

Problem with that is, what is your definition of "messed up"?

Spiders spinning may or may not be a big deal to you, but it may be to someone else. Same with small kinks and other issues. That is why some people breed or avoid specific morphs all together.

But when an animal can't eat or move or breathe correctly, that is a sure sign it needs to be humanely euthanized.

Another can of worms is how to humanely euthanize a snake... We can touch on that another day.

I know a few people that have had train wrecks of clutches where all the animals have needed to be put down. I also know many many others that have had no problems at all...

So it really is a matter of how you do your setup, how you breed, what you breed, and your incubation. And sometimes, it really doesn't matter what you do, and the genetics of the animal tends to lean towards problems.

Just know this as a final parting thought.

No matter what you do, you will have problems.

Deal with them appropriately and accordingly.

Live and learn, and teach others if you can.

That's what I try to do.

Have a great day, my friends!