Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently purchased a hatchling hybrid Mexicana female. She is about 13 inches long now and growing fast. I have recently been given the offer of a 2 ft anery L. triangulum male.
I am rapidly studying the genetics, morphs, and breeding practicalities of these snakes and didn't want to miss a potential opportunity to acquire a potential male for my female. I know she is too young to be bred yet, but having a male on hand would be preferred.

Is Mexicana X anery triangulum a good match?

Below is a (old) picture of my female.

To be honest, some people like hybrids and some don't. I am sure that if you could get them to breed you would very likely get fertile offspring based on what I have seen before.

Somebody else will certainly have more information than me on this as I do not work with hybrids. It think the trick is to somehow get them to want to breed as this is somewhat un-natural and they will not want to do this for you.

The only thing I would ask of anybody working with hybrids is that they keep things straight and clear for any buyers. Too many times I have seen obvious hybrids (albino "thayeri" or "Mex-mex" for example) sold in very misleading manners. And in some cases a hybrid pairing can throw out an animal that looks like a pure representative of the species. That is the big rub here with people that wish to work with animals as a species or a locality, is that it complicates down the line providence.

Lance
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Herp Conservation Unlimited

If people really learn from their mistakes, I should be like the smartest guy in the world

Yes, I see where you are coming from. Especially if someone were to buy a misleading hybrid to add to a pure line. As I do more reading of the forums here I am a little confused even about what *I* purchased. Mind you, she's beautiful, no regrets.

Her morph was presented to me as "Greyeye" which I understand is a hybrid between L. mexicana thayeri and L. mexicana alternus? Or are thayeri and alternus considered their own species, not subspecies?

Ah, taxinomics!

your snake has some alterna in it for sure. I can't say what else is in there.
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Herp Conservation Unlimited
Mexicana Group Directory
Photography by Joseph E. Forks

Best bet is to keep that one as a pet and start over buying nice pure bred animals from respected breeders. You will know what you have and you will be able to sell your babies in the future if you keep good records.The problem with these hybrids is exactly what you are experiencing. Your not sure what it is, neither is anyone else. Just my advise. Hope this helps. Mike Bodner

Chris' Colubrids

Mike,

Hey man...I hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy (and safe) New Year...

I agree with you regarding the "hybrid" dilemma...

Best of luck for the Eagles this weekend...Andy's beard just ain't cutting hit man...Ha! Ha!

By the way, both of your 2007 progeny are doing very well and are down for brumination...Here are some photos of the female and the male's photos follow shortly...She weighed 23 grams when I put her down on 12/25/08 (gained 19 grams)...Thanks man...They are both beautiful specimens and good luck this spring...

Later,
Jim.

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CSRAJim

Mike,

Here are the photos of the male...He weighed 36 grams when I put him down on 12/25/08 (gained 21 grams)...

Thanks,
Jim

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CSRAJim

Jim -- very nice animals! A nice, light ground color and heavily split bands. Mike does have great stock. Everything I have gotten from him has really thrived . . .

Tom C.

Tom,

Thanks, I selected them because of the bands and light ground colors and because of their genetics (female=Serpentdan and male=Vivid)...

I was especially interested in the male because of the wide saddle splits in the bands...They reminded me of the description by Hobart Smith in his '44 "Hoogstraal Expedition" paper that I read on Sierraherps.com website...

Later man,
Jim.
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CSRAJim

Jim and Tom, Great to hear everyone is doing well. Glad you guys are good too. We'll see about Eagles. I think it may be their year. Thanks Again, Mike Bodner

May I ask you purchased it from?
I have seen some sold as greyeye from Jim Stelphlug(?).
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Michelle
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

I purchased her from a vendor at the Omaha Reptile Breeders Expo in October. I have been searching for them on the vendor listing on the NebHerp website but I cannot pin down which seller it was.

I completely understand the concern about hybrids, especially being sold to those who intend to breed. As a pet she is very hardy, has an excellent attitude (curious, but not aggressive), and is a voracious eater. Though these may simply be characteristics common to all Kings, as she is the first one I have ever owned.

Mr Chrome
Don't think so but that is completely up to you. I remember when I first got into snakes I had the same questions so yours is right on the mark. In the end it's up to you and what your snakes are willing to do.
Russ