My interpretation of an Alpha snake is one that is:
- The largest in a clutch
- A robust feeder (first to feed and never picky)
- Active and alert
- A fast grower
- Free of noticeable defects
- Does not produce offspring with noticeable defects
- 100 percent fertile, all the time (male and female)
- Produces large clutches (female)
- Produces multiple clutches without any noticeable detrimental effects (female)
- Lives and breeds well past the average age
It would be folly to think we could select the animals that would best survive in the wild, the criteria for survival are far more extensive and random; nature culls weakness and carelessness ruthlessly. I do think the above ten items are a good start though.
I will be the first to say that I have not always selected by my own criteria. Only the first five are applicable to a youngster too, the rest comes with time and is very subjective.
If trying to select for certain features, it is often necessary to subvert the Alpha snake rules. Whenever things like pattern or color is important there would have to be a compromise. Too much compromise over time weakens captive lines of livestock.
I’m sure people can add to the Alpha snake rules, this is just what I came up with off the top of my head.
This is an 06 I should have kept (I always cry over spilt milk –LOL) because not only did he fit the Alpha snake rules (first five) his color was insane. I hope that I will have more opportunity to keep or obtain one like him in the future. Sorry for the fuzzy pic, it's all I have left.
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Rick
Never Enough
Reptiles
