Scaleless garter

[snake man]

personally I think that scale-less snake is a bad idea and a little cruel to the snakes, there is a reason why they have scales in the first place.

[ConcinusMan]

Then there's a reason why some don't and a reason why the gene for it still exists. There's nothing cruel about it. It has no effect on their quality of life, at least not in captivity.

If that's cruel, then so is allowing people with birth defects, to live.

[Stefan-A]

Then there's a reason why some don't and a reason why the gene for it still exists.

The gene for it exists because of random mutations. The reason it still exists, is that it's not expressed in all snakes that carry it. The reason it's not expressed more often, is that it's acted upon by natural selection when it does. And if it wasn't harmful, or if scales weren't worth the energy that goes into growing and maintaining them, scalelessness would quickly push the scaliness out of the pool.

There's nothing cruel about it.

Indeed, cruelty implies malicious intent.

It has no effect on their quality of life, at least not in captivity.

Probably not in a nice sterile tub.

If that's cruel, then so is allowing people with birth defects, to live.

Intentionally breeding people with birth defects for freak shows, would be analogous to breeding scaleless snakes for the pet trade.

[ConcinusMan]

Well, so far I've seen no indication that intentional breeding for the gene has even happened or is going to happen. Although, it has been done with corn snakes.

I really don't understand all the negative responses. It's really no different than other mutations we breed for, including amelanism. I can think of many harmful side effects associated with that mutation.

[Stefan-A]

I really don't understand all the negative responses. It's really no different than other mutations we breed for, including amelanism. I can think of many harmful side effects associated with that mutation.

I've spoken out against that, too.

[-MARWOLAETH-]

I think the snake looks a lot better with scales and would better off with them.They help give traction when swimming and protect when climbing.I personally don't see why defective animals are so prized.

[ConcinusMan]

Novelty, for one thing.

[BLUESIRTALIS]

I think a scaleless snake would have a hard life outdoors, but would thrive and do just fine indoors with proper husbandry. I know the scaleless texas rats have proved to do real well in a captive life. I think i would consider getting a scaleless garter for a pet because i always thought the scaleless texas rats looked awesome. I know they are not for everyone and some people think they look freakish, but i find them very interesting. As far as external parasites go i think they would be much easier to get rid of because of less hiding places on the snake.

[ConcinusMan]

Novelty, for one thing.

But then again, snakes are a novelty anyway. It's just that when they become so common, and more people keep them, the novelty wears off and you have to take it to the next level by having mutations. This is nothing new. It goes on with birds and many other animals too.

[Greg'sGarters]

I think it looks cool, but I believe that usually scaleless reptiles have more problems with shedding.