Posted by:
BrianSmith
at Fri Sep 26 15:53:15 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by BrianSmith ]
I have some hybrids (rock/ burmese) but am not just "pro-hybrid" because of this. There are some hybrids that I am supportive of,. and other hybrids that I am appalled by when people produce them. In the case of the rock/burmese or burmese/retic hybrids, I feel that it is a good thing in many ways. I understand completely what you are saying when you point out that unknown hybrids can polute the gene pool. But I would not go so far as to call them "mutts". In this case they are a cut above and truly very interesting. Especially in the case of the burmese/rock hybrids which are pythons from different continents. But one of the possible upsides that I can see is that with more designer breeding like this it may have a positive effect on wild caught/importation,. which I am mostly opposed to. Also, these animals are much more expensive and thus are much more likely to not be viewed as "expendable" or to be purchased by the type of person that would abandon them when they reach 10 feet. Not impossible, but much less likely. And I like this aspect. Also,.. the hybrids offer people an oportunity to experience a rock python, without the outright aggressive behavior. All of my hybrids and all that I have seen have the more passive burmese demeanor.
Now,. the hybrids that I am greatly opposed to are the ones that involve an animal that is either extinct in the wild, close to extinction, or is virtually unobtainable in the pet trade. A perfect example of a species that many are hybridizing are the hogg island boas. They are completely extinct in the wild and their captive counterparts should be kept as pure as possible as a result. There are no more contributing genes to be had from the wild and with too much cross breeding the true species can be lost forever. I just can't believe it when I hear that a breeder crossed his or her hogg with a colombian so as to make pinker babies. Or an albino hogg. I am just appalled. In just a few years pure hoggs will be worth 10 times what an albino hogg cross would be worth. The same goes with the diamond/jungle crosses. I think that the diamond blood should not be toyed with. They are a rare and hard to get animal and should be kept pure.
I personally think that more responsibility should be taken by breeders and herpers in the herp trade in general to keep any hybrids accounted for. But unfortunately I can't realistically see this happening. So all I can do is post my opinion and to do whatever I personally can do with the hybrids that I produce to ensure that they are never mistaken for a pure species.
>>I'm glad someone got it.... Sorry I just don't see the point to hybrids, sure it might be a cool "conversation piece" but I just can't see jeporadizing the gene pool by artificially creating these "mutts" and then to further breed them with each other or other species is even more puzzling - but I guess I am new to this and should just sit quietly! As far as I know, Burmese can produce upwards of 50 eggs so potentially from one hybrid mating 50 "bat eaters" could be produced? Where do all these animals go? These ain't little "jungle corns" that can live their whole life in a shoebox rack! And the way Burmese and other giant snakes are passed around when people tire of them, it would be easy for "mixed breed" snakes to be represented as purebreds and there goes the gene pool!Especially when they look so similar to regular Burms like that animal that was pictured (are you sure that is a hybrid? ) At least Albinos, Greens, Granites etc. are all still pure Burmese and will readily produce normal offspring if not carefully mated to the right partner.
>>Hey, just my 2 cents, don't anyone get their panties in a bunch - Dumergirl
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True "power" is not to be found in social or economic placement or stature, which are merely illusory, finite, frail and brief.
True power is to be found in one's sheer will and personal determination to achieve one's goals at ANY cost and at ANY sacrifice.
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There's a lot more to it than just one aspect, in my opinion,.. - BrianSmith, Fri Sep 26 15:53:15 2003