Neurological dysfunction in a ball python (Python regius) colour morph and implications for welfare

Abstract

There is widespread and growing public and professional awareness of genetic disorders associated with artificial breeding selection, and their implications on the health and welfare of companion animals. Despite increased captive breeding and the popularity of atypical colour/pattern variants, little research has been conducted, to date, into genetic variants of reptiles relative to common domestic animals (e.g., dogs and cats). This article aims to raise awareness in the animal welfare science community of the potential for welfare problems in genetic variant reptiles and to stimulate further research in this field. A survey of expert opinion was used to establish a description of a heritable disorder, the “wobble syndrome,” associated with a widely propagated phenotype, the “spider” morph of the ball python (Python regius), a common “pet” snake species. This information was used to provide an assessment of animal welfare effects of the wobble syndrome condition.