Accidental Cross Breeding

[guidofatherof5]

Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. I think"being curious" is a terrible reason to mess with genetics. Sure, it's easy to justify by saying the risk is the same when housing garters from different geographical locations but in reality it isn't. Purposely placing two snakes together that would never meet in the wild is irresponsible in my opinion, no matter who's doing it. We have been blessed to have such a diverse genus of snakes with naturally occurring morphs that producing hybrids is ridiculous. I mean no offense to anyone but feel very strongly about this issue.

[AntTheDestroyer]

Just because we can do something doesn't mean we should. I think"being curious" is a terrible reason to mess with genetics. Sure, it's easy to justify by saying the risk is the same when housing garters from different geographical locations but in reality it isn't. Purposely placing two snakes together that would never meet in the wild is irresponsible in my opinion, no matter who's doing it. We have been blessed to have such a diverse genus of snakes with naturally occurring morphs that producing hybrids is ridiculous. I mean no offense to anyone but feel very strongly about this issue.

Many people would say the same about the entire snake pet industry. Also the entire industry revolves around messing with genetics. Unfortunately there are risks involved in keeping any snake that is not from your locality. Your argument applies to all captive non locality snakes hybrids and not. It is absolutely the same to keep a snake that is capable of producing hybrids than to keep a hybrid itself. In the end if it escapes then you have hybrids in the wild regardless. In the case of the OP the if his babies escape and breed their offspring would be much closer to the wild type than if any one of your snakes did.