Hybrids and Intergrades

[Greg'sGarters]

Through my discussions with various garter snake breeders, I have heard some thoughts about hybrids and intergrades. What are your thoughts on hybrids and intergrades? Why?

[paulh]

I value the unique aspects of each species/subspecies. Making crosses starts down the slippery slope towards loss of some of those unique aspects. Some people have no trouble with hybrids as long as they are labeled. I have confidence that sooner or later the label will get lost and man-made hybrids and intergrades will enter the captive breeding population. Just say no to man-made hybrids and intergrades.

[guidofatherof5]

It should never happen in a captive situation. I know they have happened by accident but to purposely breed hybrids is WRONG.
Nature is one thing but this is another.
To try to create something from the already abundant varieties is unethical in my opinion.
You end up with mutts of no value and they ruin the gene pool.

[RedSidedSPR]

It's not cool.

[Greg'sGarters]

I also breed Rat Snakes and I find this very interesting. With Rat Snakes, hybridizing is very popular with species and subspecies. I, myself, have a breeder who is 1/2 Texas Rat Snake and 1/2 Everglades Rat Snake. She is being bred with an albino Yellow Rat Snake. Bubblegum Rat Snakes, for example, are some of the biggest mutts in the snake world, yet they are still a fairly popular variety. I have never met a Rat Snake breeder who was opposed to hybridizing, yet I have never met a Garter Snake breeder who was fine with hybridizing...interesting.

[guidofatherof5]

What's popular is always right and what's right isn't always popular.

[Greg'sGarters]

That's a cool quote!!! An example of that-venomoid snakes.

[Ctah_Lu]

I think that the hibrids sometimes look nice, but it isnt good for the animal because hibridizing can bring genetic damage, no matter what kind of snake is.

[Greg'sGarters]

I think that the hibrids sometimes look nice, but it isnt good for the animal because hibridizing can bring genetic damage, no matter what kind of snake is.

What do you think about intergrades? Or hybridizing of subspecies?

[gregmonsta]

I value the unique aspects of each species/subspecies. Making crosses starts down the slippery slope towards loss of some of those unique aspects. Some people have no trouble with hybrids as long as they are labeled. I have confidence that sooner or later the label will get lost and man-made hybrids and intergrades will enter the captive breeding population. Just say no to man-made hybrids and intergrades.

This ^^ .... especially the point about people not labelling things correctly further down the line!!! ... Garters have an amazing variety - 50+ species/subspecies not counting morphs or regional variations .... what do you hope to achieve? You're only going to make something that looks like something that already exists. This = waste of time and potential damage to captive bloodlines.