Inbreeding?

[Pepper]

I know, and most people should know, that inbreeding in people, dogs, cats, etc..can cause genetic defects and health problems, and is kinda nasty to think about, haha.

Is it the same with reptiles, with Leopard Geckos, as in, can it produce defects?

 

[thestack510]

I've been told by several well known breeders that it is okay to inbreed Leos, but that it is best to outcross after four or five breedings maximum. Personally, I try to keep my gene pool(s) as diverse as I can. The majority of my groups have multiple males, but a few of my projects are small. On the other hand, I may breed offspring from the same pairing at some point, but I wouldn't do it generation after generation. Most of what I do pertains to crossing morphs and outcrossing Enigmas, so I don't think inbreeding will happen much, if at all, in my projects.

 

[Nigel4less]

Inbreeding of any sort can produce defects. Reptiles are no exception.

 

[herpencounter]

If you talk to most the breeders on this forum most will tell you to outcross every 3-4 years. But to answer your question yes any animal you inbreed, you have a higher chance of defects.

Hope this helped =)

 

[herpencounter]

LOL we all posted at the same time =P...

 

[LeapinLizards]

No, in fact a lot of morphs are produced by inbreeding. Of course, they are not as severe as say, us humans. Outcrossing is extremely necessary though.

 

[Pepper]

outcrossing?

 

[thestack510]

outcrossing?

Outcrossing is the opposite of inbreeding, introducing new genes into a group.

 

[LeapinLizards]

Outcrossing means bringing new blood into it. Not just breeding daughter to father, then breeding those offspring back to the father, etc etc.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

geeze guys so my dad being my uncle as well is a bad thing? LOL just kidding, yeah just get some new blood in there every few generations and you should be fine.

 

[Pepper]

I'm not breeding, haha, just was curious
Thanks for all the info, and so quickly too!