Should we breed albinos? V1.0

[natas]

This is version 1 of the debate "Should we breed albinos?". What this thread is not is a place to come and insult, mock, degrade or put down members for their views. Engage the debate in the spirit in which it is meant to be debated.

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Now, have fun and educate the world of your views!!

[TongueFlick]

Well, here we go.
IMHO, I think we should cease the breeding of albinos, simply because they are BORN with all sorts of problems.... The most common and affecting two seem to be bad sight and the tendency for sunburn. I am simply against breeding these reptiles, not because I dislike them, but because they need care that is much more complex than that of "normals", and sometimes people just are not mature enough or can't provide proper care for an animal that is potentuialy already "sick".
That's just my opinion, I'm anxious to see what others have to say.

[danktat]

In my opinion I don't believe the breeding of albinos should be stopped just because some are not responsible enough to care for them properly. I am not for bannishment of most things due to the irresponsibilities of those who participate. There is absolutely a place in the herping culture for animals with albinism. There are also many who do care for their pets properly and lovingly.

What I am opposed to is the complete disregard for some of the breeding practices that a few (not all) breeders participate in just to turn a quick buck on the trendiness of animals that are "different". I am also not foolish enough to believe that the breeding of albino animals will have any quick or easy solution to the negligent breeding practices that are prevelant today. What we as consumers can do is insist that the breeders who produce this type of animal use a varied stock for parents, we won't purchase the sickly ones (calling it a rescue when it will just encourage the production of more sickly animals because they will eventually sell), and that we will look as deeply as we can into the way the breeders we purchase from conduct thier breeding trials.

I know that puts all the "work" on us as the consumer but that is the best way to promote "healthy" breeding for the albinism trait. If you insist before you buy then the breeders will be more likely to cater to what you are willing to pay for. If you are willing to pay for a sick, or one eyed, or kinked-spined albino then YES they will continue to produce them. Have the breeders get stuck with a bunch of animals they can't sell and perhaps they will shore up those breeding practices to allow for the healthiest albinos possible. For me that is a better alternative than just cutting out the breeding altogether. People who buy albinos as pets (not just breeding stock) love thier animals just as much as one would love any naturally occouring colored or patterned snake. I don't believe that we as a community should deny them that beloved pet because they "could" have health issues.

JMO

[danktat]

P.S. I find it hard to discuss this any further without crossing over into the inbreeding/linebreeding thread as the two seem to be too tightly interwoven to separate.

[deadliestformula]

Some common problems with albinism are:
1. lowered visual ability
2. increased sensitivity to sunlight ie sunburns
3. increased visability to predators/failure to blend in

These can easily be overcome with good husbandry.
1. Do not feed live prey, as the snake will not be able to see well enough to protect itself. Do not allow for situations where the snakes visual imparements will be an issue

2. Use CHE's and ambient room lighting. Avoid bright lights, and Avoid the sunlight (for skin concerns) since snakes do not need the sunlight anyway.

3. Well honestly, this isn't an issue with captive animals anyway.


As far as any claims about one-eyed albino's, etc. That boils down to unfit breeding practices. And has a place for mention in another thread.

[TongueFlick]

Originally Posted by deadliestformula

Some common problems with albinism are:
1. lowered visual ability
2. increased sensitivity to sunlight ie sunburns
3. increased visability to predators/failure to blend in
These can easily be overcome with good husbandry.
1. Do not feed live prey, as the snake will not be able to see well enough to protect itself. Do not allow for situations where the snakes visual imparements will be an issue
2. Use CHE's and ambient room lighting. Avoid bright lights, and Avoid the sunlight (for skin concerns) since snakes do not need the sunlight anyway.
3. Well honestly, this isn't an issue with captive animals anyway.
As far as any claims about one-eyed albino's, etc. That boils down to unfit breeding practices. And has a place for mention in another thread.

Ah, yes. I DO think, however, that those who really are ready to make the commitment... I see nothing wrong with that. What I dislike is seeing someone buy an albino for their first snake, and use a basic snake caresheet for the "proper" instructions, because they think it's just a white snake.

[sarecho7280]

i have an albino brother and he has horrible eyesight, which is probably more common with albinism than people realize. but, concerning snakes in captivity, that's not a big deal. most snakes don't have great eyesight anyway and motion will be just as visible, just not as detailed. they'll still smell the food and react to motion.

my brother is more sensitive to sunlight (both uva and uvb rays) but still, the chance of a snake getting a sunburn from a heat bulb is pretty much nonexistent.

i'm not sure albino snakes KNOW they're albino lol. i doubt it created extra stress on them to hide in that perfect spot.

the problem i have with it is that they're unique and there are too many impulse buys when uniqueness is concerned, and that leads to homeless snakes with multiple homes. also, those eye problems can be compounded when bred with another albino and that can lead to missing eyes, complete blindness, etc. that is a bit harsh for the sake of being pretty. that is making a living animal your canvas at the expense of its quality of life

[JuliusSqueezer]

albinism is a disease. It comes with a price far greater than just eye and skin problems. Albino reptiles develop slower than normals so when there is a mixed litter of albino and normal appearing offspring, the normals when ready to come out do so and drag along anything else with it. This is likely the key to the enormous amount of premature albino births from livebearing animals. I don't believe it's ethical to breed for any trait that IS a disease or otherwise comes with ANY health concerns.