reasons we need successful breeding populations....

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Posted by Dean Alessandrini on July 04, 2001 at 14:53:45:

In Reply to: Are you releasing any of your offspring?... posted by Norman on July 04, 2001 at 14:37:01:

Norman,

you are correct that cb babies cannot, at this time, nor should they be, released in the wild.

HOWEVER...there are currently extnsive studies being conducted in FL. Only recently have somewhat effective methods for surveying populations (or lack thereof) of couperi within suitable habitat been developed.

We still aren't even sure the EXACT parameters that would be considered "suitable habitat" but...rest assured , the data is currently being gathered to answer these questions.

So what's my point: in the near future...we WILL have defined what suitable habitat still exisits that does not have viable populations. We will even know how many snakes a given area can support. When we reach that point...then re-introduction becomes a real option to assisit struggling populations.

At that point...we BETTER have strong bloodlines available and at least a good number of dedicated breeders to produce healthy young.

Additionally, we are currently working on "loosening" regs. for educational facilities, zoos, etc. the hope is that EVERY zoo and wildlife center in S GA and Florida will be able to display a (cb) Eastern Indigo and have a real nice educational exhibit. We need to educate the public as to WHAT they look like and WHY to care enough not to kill them.

you make some good points. breeding the hell out of the snakes with no habitat left will not benefit wild populations. the US gov't (at least a small dedicated handful) ARE working on habitat conservation.

our job as breeders is to PERFECT the currently sparratic captive breeding success and keep healtly PURE bloodlines.

It has been a real challenge to get ANY respect as a private breeder from the scientific community. Trust me...hybridaziation of indigos will do nothing but hurt our cause.

I guess with the varity of other subspecies available w/o a permit...why anyone would want to tinker with the genetics of such a rare and beautiful snake? I agree with Doug that it probably can't be done...but stranger things have happened. Please don't play "Dr. Frankenstein" with indigo snakes.

Respectfully,
Dean Alessandrini

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Re: reasons we need successful breeding populations.... Norman 07/04/01 (0)

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: Norman, : you are correct that cb babies cannot, at this time, nor should they be, released in the wild. : HOWEVER...there are currently extnsive studies being conducted in FL. Only recently have somewhat effective methods for surveying populations (or lack thereof) of couperi within suitable habitat been developed. : We still aren't even sure the EXACT parameters that would be considered "suitable habitat" but...rest assured , the data is currently being gathered to answer these questions. : So what's my point: in the near future...we WILL have defined what suitable habitat still exisits that does not have viable populations. We will even know how many snakes a given area can support. When we reach that point...then re-introduction becomes a real option to assisit struggling populations. : At that point...we BETTER have strong bloodlines available and at least a good number of dedicated breeders to produce healthy young. : Additionally, we are currently working on "loosening" regs. for educational facilities, zoos, etc. the hope is that EVERY zoo and wildlife center in S GA and Florida will be able to display a (cb) Eastern Indigo and have a real nice educational exhibit. We need to educate the public as to WHAT they look like and WHY to care enough not to kill them. : you make some good points. breeding the hell out of the snakes with no habitat left will not benefit wild populations. the US gov't (at least a small dedicated handful) ARE working on habitat conservation. : our job as breeders is to PERFECT the currently sparratic captive breeding success and keep healtly PURE bloodlines. : It has been a real challenge to get ANY respect as a private breeder from the scientific community. Trust me...hybridaziation of indigos will do nothing but hurt our cause. : I guess with the varity of other subspecies available w/o a permit...why anyone would want to tinker with the genetics of such a rare and beautiful snake? I agree with Doug that it probably can't be done...but stranger things have happened. Please don't play "Dr. Frankenstein" with indigo snakes. : Respectfully, : Dean Alessandrini

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reasons we need successful breeding populations....

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