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Posted by Nyx on January 20, 2003 at 23:15:39:
In Reply to: Re: Question... posted by glenn bartley on January 19, 2003 at 11:42:22:
:I am surprised that you would bring up such questions.
Why so? =)
: Now that you asked those questions how do you feel about the answers? Were you being rhetorical and giving your answers by asking the questions? Or did you just pose some questions, that you are seeking answers to?
A little of both. Some were rhetorical - but I genuinely meant and am seeking answers to all of them.
The hybrid issue is right up there with venomoids as far as pushing people's buttons; anything that has to do with altering snakes, either genetically or physically, seems to be a really intense issue. I find it interesting, objectively speaking, since humans have been altering animals since we domesticated them; why should snakes be different from any other species we've put under our care? Does our increased knowledge of long-term risks in breeding animal and plant species to serve us alter our judgement in this case? Are we becoming more environmentally aware? Somehow, I don't see this in some of the "gut reactions" hybridization often receives.
As for morphs surviving in the wild, I believe that would be the only real problem - but has anyone considered one particular point? What does a hybrid breed with? Say you have a cross from a particular area, and both snakes are found wild in the area. With which species does the hybrid breed? Does it have the necessary instincts to breed with both species, one, or none? [Considering that aversion to breeding with another species in the wild may be instinctual - that they don't give off the right scent/movement cues - perhaps the hybrid would have "no" switches for both? Or "yes" switches for both?]
No trouble for the brightly coloured morphs. Hawk's dinner in no time, which is probably why albino snakes tend to be sorta rare...
Nyx
