I can understand both arguments on this matter and here is my $0.02

In the long term... yes wild caught has the stronger gene. If you allow w/c's to mate and propagate in the wild they will be stronger (let's assume 200yrs, approx. 70 generations). So the scenario is.... you have one male and one female in captivity and you continually breed brother to sister for the 70 generations. The other side is the continuous replacement of fresh blood. Yes the w/c's will be better (less risk of all possible problems, I shouldn't have to list the thousands of ways in which the problems may manifest itself).



Short-term or "now" thinking.... Jeff is correct. Do a search on "island" or "cross-mutation" or something like that. I posed a questions on inbreeding a month ago about some snakes that exhibit both male and female mutated sex organs rendering them sterile (thereby dooming the race, look it up for more info or email me). I disagree with Jeff on this topic, believing the mutation is a direct result of inbreeding (and still do, given more valid counter discussions I would be glad to open mindedly review my theories) but agree with him here on the statement he made (other than anything demeaning, if it offended you). Being a fellow Canadian, he must have had a very strong immediate feeling about what he wrote since Canadians tend to be VERY laid back and calm (but harbor great resentment for years). Don't take what he said as a personal attack yet, wait until its cleared up, get both sides of the complete story on the table. For some reason I just think Jeff would have an entirely different attitude towards you.



Thanks

Dave

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