Albino -- a defect?

[RedSidedSPR]

I keep finding myself wondering: why the heck do people strive to make albinos/snows, when it's more a defect then anything?

Albinos have a complete lack of melanin. A defect. You all know how that affects them.... such as vision and immunological disorders. No heat lamps for you.

Something many people dont know, is that if it's lacking in the skin, it's often lacking in the brain....

There's a lot of evidence that shows that albino animals are more prone to neurological (nervous system) problems than non-albinos....

Supposedly, thay have a shorter life span.

They lack receptors for certain chemicals.. other receptors as well, some involving light.

Blah blah blah.

They're usually not even all that attractive in my opinion. I much prefer animals with melanin.

Snakes were made a certain way. They absorb this, see that..
Why charge $500 for something that doesn't work?

Maybe I'm seeing this wrong, but I don't see many advantages to albinos.

Seems, from what I've read/heard, that it's just us ignoring the animals health at their expense to make a "cool" snake.

Please prove me wrong.

[guidofatherof5]

Much of this is personal preference. Some like them and some don't.
As for health issues I agree but "what it is, is what it is"
I find the albinos to be interesting and worth having even though there can be issues.
I don't think saying "that's just ignoring the animals health at their expense to make a "cool" snake" is not a fair statement.
I would think that most albino keepers are more than aware of the health requirements and needs of their animals.

You're entitled to your opinion and views and trying to "prove you wrong" would be an exercise in futility.
I don't think this is a right or wrong situation.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

To most people albinos are attractive snakes. I agree that lots of the normals look better but i still like albinos as well. I personally have not noticed any problems with health in albinos except when too much inbreeding is involved. I have seen albinos live as long as normals with no problems. Albino or not when you start inbreeding over and over again you will have problems.

[RedSidedSPR]

I should have said that differently. I wasnt accusing anyone of ignoring their health. Sorry...

But when someone is striving to make a litter of snows, i sometimes hear it as let's make a litter of babies with health problems. I know that's not at all, by no means their goal, but I can't help but feel that way...

As for "what it is, is what it is".. That's true, but it makes no sense when you're "making" then purposefully.

It's not a right or wrong situation, I know, I wanted hear opinions on albinos... they are cool, I don't have a problem with them or keeping them. But it being the most common "morph", just seems kinda strange to me..

Like I said, "they don't work."

[infernalis]

I for one have no problems with producing healthy animals with anomalies in the pigmentation.

F5 & F6 just to produce more is of no interest to me at all.

[Kantar]

my guess is that breeders will keep producing them if there is still a market for them

[RedSidedSPR]

Oh they will.

Ditto Wayne.

[RedSidedSPR]

Basically what I wanted was to hear some opinions, I didn't mean it to sound so daggone harsh.

I've known people, read stuff, and heard stuff, that make it seem like albinos are nothing but bad. I don't agree with that. I agree that there are problems, but nothing to completely make me anti-albino. Only anti-nothing-but-albino...

[d_virginiana]

I think that dilemma can be found in most domesticated species, but I don't think it's as bad with albino snakes with the exception of irresponsibly inbred ones. I mean, dogs are probably the worst example of humans setting up animals for health problems that there is, but at the same time, how many dogs would end up homeless if people weren't able to predict its adult size and temperament based on the pedigree? If albinos sell, then breeders will keep producing them.

I don't have a problem with breeding to create designer morphs as long as it's done responsibly... But I do have to agree with you that a lot of albinos just look freaky!

[RedSidedSPR]

I dont have a problem either.. make all ya want, that wasnt what i was getting at.

I wouldbt see freaky, lol, but unattractive yes. SOME OF THEM. i do like albinos.

Snows on the other hand...