The Ethics of Reptile Morphs

By Lidia Vassar

As a human, I enjoy different colors and patterns. This includes different colors and patterns of nonhuman animals. However, I will never prioritize the appearance of nonhuman animal over its health. When it comes to companion animals, I have found that people are prone to exploitation, even when they love their companions dearly. This paper will go into depth on why I believe that selectively breeding for aesthetics without considerations for health should be banned. 

Reptiles in the pet trade, like most other nonhuman animals kept as companions, come in a variety of colors. As with all selective breeding, unfortunate side effects are a reality. There are times, like in the case of the spider ball pythonand the enigma leopard gecko, however, that these side effects can severely alter the individual’s quality of life. The breeding of reptile morphs who suffer from predictable and preventable issues, whether they are neurological or more physical in nature, is not ethical and should not be treated as a normalcy of the reptile breeding industry.

Within the herpetological (that is, having to do with reptiles and amphibians) community different patterns and colorations are referred to as morphs. These are phenotypical (visible) expressions of genes. Some are recessive and some are dominant, which means that breeding for a specific phenotype requires a lot of planning and knowledge on what genes to use. The spider morph of ball pythons is one that affects the pattern of the individual. The lines on their back are thinner and more erratic and are often used in unison with other morphs to create new combined morphs. However, spider ball pythons very frequently have neurological issues, referred to as a “wobble,” which makes it sound a lot cuter than it is. It’s a spectrum, with some ball pythons (like my adopted spider, Scarlet) who rarely exhibit it, and others who can barely function as it is so bad. It alters their ability to orient themselves and makes finding up and down very confusing for them. Normally, snakes can reorient themselves when their body moves separately from their head, but spider ball pythons are often even more disoriented by this and unable to keep up. This leads to major problems eating. Some spider ball pythons will even mistakenly strike themselves, leading to injuries that should never occur. A great video on the controversy of spider balls is this one by YouTube channel GoHerping. 

Enigma leopard geckos often exhibit similar neurological problems, with the addition of other sensory issues. This article covers the genetics of enigma syndrome quite well. Enigma leopard geckos often have increased tactile sensitivity and require special substrates. Shedding can be an absolute disaster for them, as it triggers foreign feelings on the skin. Some individuals, like this forum post mentions, will even harm themselves.

So, with all these very clear signs that some morphs are detrimental to the individual’s health, why are breeders still selling them? The International Herpetological Society in the U.K. was able to ban the sale of spider ball pythons, proving that it can indeed be done. Unfortunately, American breeders have yet to be convinced. 

I believe that one of the first pushbacks to banning the sale of these nonhuman animals is the very American demand for freedom. A man (mentioned in GoHerping’s video) who is a very large figure in the herpetological breeding community argues that no one should be able to tell him whether or not he can breed whatever nonhuman animals he wants, regardless of the consequences it may have for those individuals. My response to this is that he can certainly breed whatever he wants, but it should be illegal for him to sell these individuals and make a profit off of their suffering.

Even without banning their breeding, the U.K. has reduced the demand for these individuals. In the United States there are still many casual caretakers who have no idea that the nonhuman animal they just purchased may have chronic health issues due to their breeding. There is a lack of education on the topic, which leads to further abuse of these companion animals when their new caretakers can’t handle the reality of their needs. It’s not malicious, but it is preventable. 

​Morphs are very heavily researched within the herpetological community. There is a high demand for new colors and patterns, which leads to a sort of arms race to see who can come up with a new one first. While some traits are certainly recessive and difficult to track without genetic testing, this does not mean that morphs like the spider and enigma are somehow impossible to prevent. In fact, most of these morphs are predictable, and thus can be prevented.

Now, many people may be asking at this point, “why does all of this even matter, when reptiles clearly aren’t capable of experiencing pain or suffering?” To this I will say that reptiles and amphibians demonstrate pain behaviors that are oftentimes identical and almost always similar to the ones dogs and cats show. I’m sure when you see a dog whimpering with a paw held up or a cat curled up looking pathetic after vomiting you don’t criticize their ability to feel. People tend towards compassion and anthropomorphization (giving nonhuman things human characteristics). So why are we so good at ignoring reptiles’ pain?

Our love of keeping companion animals should not negatively affect their health and wellbeing. Prioritizing the paintjob of a python or the pattern of a parrot over their ability to function and interact with their environment is unacceptable and should be regarded as unethical. Banning the sale of these individuals would reduce the demand for a breeder to produce them and encourage the emphasis to go back to the health and diversity of these beautiful beings. To help this cause, simply do your research when you’re considering a new companion animal. The only way that breeders currently measure support is financially, so by not funding the breeding of these harmful morphs you are supporting the entire community as a whole. If you know someone else who is considering buying from a breeder, share what knowledge you have on the topic. Do good together. 

References

Warwick, C. “The Morality of the Reptile Pet Trade.” 2014. Journal of Animal Ethics, 4(1), 
74-94. doi:10.5406/janimalethics.4.1.0074.

Rose, Mark & Williams, David. “Neurologic dysfunction in a ball python (python regius) 
color morph, and Implications for welfare.” July 2014. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. 23. 10.1053/j.jepm.2014.06.002.

Collis, Ariel H. (M.A.) & Fenili, Robert N. (PhD). “The Modern U.S. Reptile Industry.” 
May 12, 2011. Georgetown Economic Services, LLC. Economic Analysis Group. https://usark.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/The_Modern_US_Reptile_Industry_05_12_2011Final.pdf

Klingenberg, Roger. “Perception of Pain in Reptiles.” 1999. Melissa Kaplan’s Herp Care 
Collection. http://www.anapsid.org/herppain2.html

GoHerping. “Brian Barczyk and Why Spider Ball Pythons are Terrible.” February 25, 
2019. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3a9MmVMyoTo

Bargen, Ben. “Enigma Syndrome in Leopard Geckos: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder.” 
December 17, 2013. Gecko Time. http://www.geckotime.com/enigma-syndrome/

Carter, Lou. “Spider Ball Python Banned? (Head Wobble and Neurological Issues)” May 
14, 2019. Snakes for Pets. https://www.snakesforpets.com/spider-ball-python-banned/

Cinderbird. “Self Harming Behavior in Leopard Gecko.” November 21, 2010. Ball 
Pythons. https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?133521-Self-harming-behavior-in-leopard-gecko

“Reptile Morphs and Mutations.” November 2013. Reptiles Magazine.
http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Reptile-Blog/Russ-Case/Reptile-Morphs-Mutations/

Jossers Jungle. “What is *Wobble*? (Spider Ball Pythons).” August 12, 2018. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgHRAhwccbc

SherlockAstral. “Spider Ball Python Feeding Trouble.” December 17, 2017. Ball Pythons.
https://ball-pythons.net/forums/showthread.php?252542-Spider-Ball-Python-feeding-trouble

Leopard Gecko. “Enigma Syndrome | Leopard Geckos.” April 14, 2015. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHhr69bJ_rE

Bulinski, Steven. “A Crash Course in Reptile Genetics.” January 5, 2016. Reptiles 
Magazine. http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/A-Crash-Course-in-Reptile-Genetics/

Author Bio

Lidia Vassar is a student at MNSU majoring in anthropology with an emphasis in anthrozoology, and a minor in Human-Animal Studies. Nonhuman animals have been a lifelong source of fascination for her, and she aspires to educate caretakers and create products that make caring for your nonhuman friends easier and more rewarding. Nonhuman animals are people, too!