IJ Carpet Python X Ball Python!

I think they are neat looking animals, and I especially like #3. I have nothing against responsible hybridizing... It seems a smart thing to do to have all hybrids microchipped and genetics documented, so that down the line when there are many 75%/25% or similar hybrids running around, their genetic heritage can still be easily identified. Also, as long as hybrids do not outnumber pure species. We want our kids and our kids' kids to be able to behold a pure ball python, right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smilin-buddha

I am the one that bred that snake. I didn't post to alot of places do to anti-hybrid thinking. I am being honest as to what they are. If you don't like them that is your choice. http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...100_0604ml.jpg

---

Wow; that thing is beautiful. I wonder if it'll retain characteristics from what side? Would it ball up like a BP or try to get away instead? Or would its general body type be thicker and fatter (BP) or slenderer like the JCP?
I would love to know how it matures.

And.. why not name them "Ball-Pets" instead?
Sorry; I am in a goofy mood, hehe. :)

I work in a computer lad. SO I thought it was funny for Carpal tunnel syndrome. I have a warped sense of humor. Todd

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by MarkS

I don't believe that any of those mammal hybrids you mentioned are fertile so the cross breeding STOPS with the first generation. As far as dogs go, unless you are talking about Dog/wolf hybrids (which I also disagree with), ALL DOGS BREEDS ARE THE SAME SPECIES, EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM IS CANIS FAMILIARIS..... It's a COMPLETELY different definition of the term 'HYBRID' then what is meant when breeding different species together.

However many and probably even most snake hybrids ARE fertile. THAT is where the problem lies. It does not take too many generations of back crossing to produce animals that outwardly look just like ball pythons or IJ carpet pythons... However they will NOT be ball pythons or carpet pythons, they will still be hybrids that contain a significant amount of genetic material from the other species and you WILL wind up with sporadic and unpredictable results when breeding. It would be like a chemist trying to mix different ingredients together to achieve a certain goal, when one of those ingredients has been contaminated.

Don't think it will never happen, it already HAS happened with other species. NO WHERE can you buy a corn snake and be 100% guaranteed of getting an animal that is pure Pantherophis guttatus guttatus. (or Elaphe guttata guttata for those who have been around longer) The same has happened with many species of king snakes and gopher snakes as well. At one time I thought that ball pythons would be a safe refuge from all the hybridizing madness, but I guess I was wrong about that.

Mark

---

VERY good point. I hope that it will not come down to that for ball pythons. I didn't know of this issue with corns. :rockon:

I think they are nice looking snakes. I never understood the huge moral objection people have with hybrids. I understand people having a problem with people selling mixed breeds as pure, like what happens with a lot of Boas and Carpets, but as long as its marked as a hybrid, whats the big deal? There are still exactly as many pure blood animals around as there were before some guy mixed a IJ with a BP.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by smilin-buddha

I work in a computer lad. SO I thought it was funny for Carpal tunnel syndrome. I have a warped sense of humor. Todd

---

So do I :) Here's to not getting Carpal Tunnel :)
I hope that you'll continue to update us as the snakes get older. I would love to see how they turn out!

Carpall, huh?

Not a fan of how the head turned out...it looks all bug-eyed to me and its nose doesn't look "right."

Hybrids aren't really my thing...this is a perfect example of why. I like my ball pythons just how they are ;) :)

I have a great solution to this whole "I like hybrids" versus "creating hybrids is a sin against Mother Earth and causes global warming" argument.

I call it "Hybrid Offsets". For as many hybrids as you produce, breed that many pure bloods. Preferably morphs ;)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Kom@tose

I think they are nice looking snakes. I never understood the huge moral objection people have with hybrids. I understand people having a problem with people selling mixed breeds as pure, like what happens with a lot of Boas and Carpets, but as long as its marked as a hybrid, whats the big deal? There are still exactly as many pure blood animals around as there were before some guy mixed a IJ with a BP.

---

Not to start a hybrid discussion, but my personal feelings go something like this. When thinking about a hybrid project, I'd ask myself a few questions;

Will the resulting offspring be healthy?

If they have major deformities, will their quality of life be affected?

What extra care would be required if they do, in fact, require it as a result of the hybridization?

How does the cross affect its captive care requirements? Will I have the resources to identify and meet these needs?

For me, there's too many questions that I'd want answered before going about the project - I don't think its all that humane to stick two different species together, breed them, and hope for the best. Not my cup of tea.

But back on topic, congrats on successfully producing the cross and I hope the babies stay healthy and live long, happy lives.