i would have to say that Breeding snakes from different localities" is way less appealing to me and I must argue would not (IMHO) produce "better representatives of the species across it's given range". Breeding unrelated animals from a given locality, when available, is a much better way to achieve the goals you are looking for while still maintaining population level genetic integrity.

Are bull snakes just bullsnakes? or are Montana bulls different than Kankakee bulls? or Iowa Bulls? SE texas bulls? If you found a bull in the western part of OK is that the same animal as ones found in the eastern part of the state? Does it really matter? My guess is that the answer to the last question is variable depending on who you talk to and what that given person/keeper' attitudes and needs are regarding population biology and taxonomic specifics.........

I had a long conversation with a P.m.lodingi biologist last week and he had some really interesting information regarding their findings on lodingi ranges, and intergration zones/sympatry with mugitus......

He will publish sometime soon so look for that paper as it address these sorts of ideas......

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