Nature VS Nurture

[MedusasOwl]

Just curious as to people's opinions on this. I've been thinking about my future breeding plans, and as color morphs aren't really an option with VBBs I'd love to have an ultimate goal of specializing in more docile snakes.

I know a lot of dog breeds have been bred especially with temperment in mind. Can that be possible with snakes too? I'm wondering if when I start really looking into increasing my breeding stock by acquisition or holding back hatchlings and I specifically breed only the tamest ones like Ma-tsu, would the offspring be more likely to be docile too? Or do you think that's purely based on how often they're handled and husbandry techniques?

[gmmuscle91]

This might be a little off topic, but is there any signs that Mat-su id gravid?

[Shelby]

I believe it is possible, yes Sheree. It has been done not only with dogs, but with rats, bunnies, as you most likely know.. hehe mice, and other pet rodents. Also true with birds, I don't see it being that much different with snakes. Yes, each species does tend to have a temperament that is common to the species, but there are exceptions, and I can see animals with a lower prey drive/defense instinct being bred to make more docile animals.

[cassandra]

This might be a little off topic, but is there any signs that Mat-su id gravid?

I think Sheree said in another thread that her vet had felt 9 eggs in Ma-tsu...=)

[gmmuscle91]

I think Sheree said in another thread that her vet had felt 9 eggs in Ma-tsu...=)

Yes I know but she said they could be reabsorbed if they weren't fertile. I was just wondering.

[MedusasOwl]

She's ovulating, but not sure yet if she's gravid! We're waiting to see if she lays or reabsorbs those 9 eggs since it's sort of an "unplanned pregnancy" that we happen to be ready for. Next season we're going to be really making an effort and putting our pair together. If she is gravid, it happened before we had a chance to seperate them out! She shed just recently, so we've got the lay box and everything ready. Incubator arrived yesterday, so we're ready just in case!

And that's what I was thinking, Shelby! I mean, Ma-tsu eats like a piggie but gently... I've never seen her strike once, she tends to just take the rat out of the tongs all lady-like and start swallowing. And she's unbelievably tame. So lower defense/drive like you said with a healthy appitite like Ma-tsu would be my goal. I'd love to focus on that trait in the future. Mellow docile good eaters. VBBs have a rep for being nervous, but I'd love to have a hand in changing that reputation through careful breeding.

[JLC]

I certainly think it's worth a try. Either way, you're breeding beautiful babies!

[mr~python]

Sheree, thats so exciting. good luck, if not this year, next year!

[MedusasOwl]

I certainly think it's worth a try. Either way, you're breeding beautiful babies!

That's a given, they're called beauties for a reason!

[MedusasOwl]

Sheree, thats so exciting. good luck, if not this year, next year!

Thanks! Our fingers and all our toes are crossed, we want pippies!