Everyone keeps comparing snake hybrids to dog "mutts" and interracial people, but those are NOT HYBRIDS! A cross between a wolf and a dog is a hybrid, and a cross between a human and a chimp would be more comparable to what is happening with ball x carpet pythons.

Humans are so close genetically that no "race" even classifies as a separate subspecies. An African Bushman (San)and an Inuit in Alaska both share the same classification name: Homo sapiens sapiens. The last existing subspecies was Homo sapiens neanderthalensis and some anthropologists don't even think THAT classification is right. They believe neanderthals and cro-magnons were the same subspecies, just different 'varieties'. Just as all dogs are also the same subspecies, just different 'breeds'.

The hybrids being created between balls and species from other continents is more comparable to "ligers" and mules.



Even when it occurs in nature, hybrids are not seen by many scientists to "strengthen the gene pool":



"[T]he indiscriminate cross-breeding of Indian cattle with the exotic Jersey and Holstein Friesian breeds under the Intensive Cattle Breeding Programme (ICDP) and the Operation Flood, has rendered more than 80 per cent of the Indian cattle in the non-descript category. In a country, which has the largest population of cattle in the world, and some 26 recognised breeds of cattle, genetic contamination had taken its toll. More than a dozen of the Indian cattle breeds have now disappeared. The unique genetic diversity and wealth that India possessed in cattle has gradually eroded."







"Nonindigenous species can bring about a form of extinction of native flora and fauna by hybridization and introgression either through purposeful introduction by humans or through habitat modification, bringing previously isolated species into contact. These phenomena can be especially problematic for rare species coming into contact with more abundant ones. Increased use of molecular techniques focuses attention on the extent of this under appreciated problem that is not always apparent from morphological observations alone. Some degree of gene flow is a normal, evolutionarily constructive process, and all constellations of genes and genotypes cannot be preserved. However, hybridization with or without introgression may, nevertheless, threaten a rare species' existence."





A first-generation hybrid is fine, but what if a "carpal" is bred back to a ball python and one of the offspring finds its way into the hands of someone who doesn't know its genetics as a hybrid?? Will the carpalXball be mistakenly seen as a new ball morph?



Everyone wants to play Dr. Frankenstein, I just hope everyone keeps track of what they're creating.

[ Show Entire Thread ]