Nero Egernia
Well-Known Member
I've just started reading the iHerp magazines. I found the article "Morph it or Leave it" to be an interesting read.
The article discusses the divide between the "light (purists)" and "dark (morphs)" sides of the hobby, and how in general the greater hobby is turning to the so-called dark side. But how do we define the opposite sides of the same coin?
Keep in mind the following are only generalizations. Apologies if anything's incorrect.
By definition I suppose a "purist" is someone who keeps and breeds herpetofauna of known wild origins. They don't hybridize species and subspecies, and they aim to preserve the area specific integrity of their animals, only breeding their chosen species with another of the same species, from the same locality. For example, they'll only breed a Tasmanian Tiger Snake with another Tasmanian Tiger Snake, even though Tiger Snakes can be found right across southern Australia. The purist may take it even further by only breeding Tiger Snakes found just outside of Hobart. They won't breed their Hobart animals with animals that may come from the north-west of Tasmania, for example.
The "dark side" on the other hand can be a little different. This usually consists of someone who may breed animals of known localities with other animals of known localities in the hopes of breeding something different from the norm and visually pleasing to the eye. For example they may breed a Common Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) from Adelaide with a Common Blue-Tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) from Brisbane. Or they may take this a step further, and pair sub-species together e.g. T. scincoides scincoides x T. scincoides intermedia. Or they may simply breed animals of unknown origins. Another example would be pairing Australian Green Tree Pythons with Biak Green Tree Pythons. They may take it further and pair species e.g. Black Headed Python x Carpet Python.
Interestingly, however, as alluded to in the article, both sides of the hobby will selectively breed their animals to be more visually pleasing, and perhaps for better ease of sale. Is there really that much of a difference here?
But if the hobby is taking a turn to the dark side, and it may or may not entail more intentional breeding of hybrids, but if it does, how will this affect the law? I believe in most states hybridizing reptiles is illegal, and yet many people seem to do it. Furthermore, some advertise it in an open manner. I'm not sure how it works in the eastern states, but surely those who participate in illegal activities are prosecuted?
And what of the morphs and locality specific animals that have been smuggled into Australia? Are the departments of wildlife not aware of this? Will the law bend for the hobby? I know that jags have been done to death on here, but where exactly is their point of origin? I've read conflicting information where some texts suggests that jags have been smuggled into Australia and or that it's the result of hybridizing carpet python subspecies. There's also been discussions that carpet pythons are one and the same. How can one tell the difference between the different subspecies (if there's any)? Would distinguishing between them become more difficult when morphs that are totally different in appearance from the original subspecies arise? How can you tell that it's still "pure"?
Where exactly can we see our hobby heading? Opinions or predictions?
Apologies for the long winded post everyone, but I'm generally curious.
Edit: Another example.
The article discusses the divide between the "light (purists)" and "dark (morphs)" sides of the hobby, and how in general the greater hobby is turning to the so-called dark side. But how do we define the opposite sides of the same coin?
Keep in mind the following are only generalizations. Apologies if anything's incorrect.
By definition I suppose a "purist" is someone who keeps and breeds herpetofauna of known wild origins. They don't hybridize species and subspecies, and they aim to preserve the area specific integrity of their animals, only breeding their chosen species with another of the same species, from the same locality. For example, they'll only breed a Tasmanian Tiger Snake with another Tasmanian Tiger Snake, even though Tiger Snakes can be found right across southern Australia. The purist may take it even further by only breeding Tiger Snakes found just outside of Hobart. They won't breed their Hobart animals with animals that may come from the north-west of Tasmania, for example.
The "dark side" on the other hand can be a little different. This usually consists of someone who may breed animals of known localities with other animals of known localities in the hopes of breeding something different from the norm and visually pleasing to the eye. For example they may breed a Common Blue-tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) from Adelaide with a Common Blue-Tongue (Tiliqua scincoides) from Brisbane. Or they may take this a step further, and pair sub-species together e.g. T. scincoides scincoides x T. scincoides intermedia. Or they may simply breed animals of unknown origins. Another example would be pairing Australian Green Tree Pythons with Biak Green Tree Pythons. They may take it further and pair species e.g. Black Headed Python x Carpet Python.
Interestingly, however, as alluded to in the article, both sides of the hobby will selectively breed their animals to be more visually pleasing, and perhaps for better ease of sale. Is there really that much of a difference here?
~ From the iHerp article."The reality is that there is nothing natural about what we do in the reptile hobby."
But if the hobby is taking a turn to the dark side, and it may or may not entail more intentional breeding of hybrids, but if it does, how will this affect the law? I believe in most states hybridizing reptiles is illegal, and yet many people seem to do it. Furthermore, some advertise it in an open manner. I'm not sure how it works in the eastern states, but surely those who participate in illegal activities are prosecuted?
And what of the morphs and locality specific animals that have been smuggled into Australia? Are the departments of wildlife not aware of this? Will the law bend for the hobby? I know that jags have been done to death on here, but where exactly is their point of origin? I've read conflicting information where some texts suggests that jags have been smuggled into Australia and or that it's the result of hybridizing carpet python subspecies. There's also been discussions that carpet pythons are one and the same. How can one tell the difference between the different subspecies (if there's any)? Would distinguishing between them become more difficult when morphs that are totally different in appearance from the original subspecies arise? How can you tell that it's still "pure"?
Where exactly can we see our hobby heading? Opinions or predictions?
Apologies for the long winded post everyone, but I'm generally curious.
Edit: Another example.
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