Hybrid Turtle Breeding (Pond) Project IDEA

[Joe M]

So basically the biggest issue is the release of hybrids into the native populations? Releasing a captive non-hybrid turtle into a wild population is just as bad. I would say that the diseases potentially deadly to native turtles are far more detrimental than the breeding of a few pure turtles with hybrids, as eventually over the course of a few generations the species would be near pure, and most likely a stronger and more resistant species due to now having the good traits of more than one species. Its called evolution. Do any of you honestly think that all wild turtles are pure? They may appear that way to us now, but they are the result of millions of years of hybridization and if that didn't happen, turtles in general may not living today.

It all comes down to responsibility. If a person who buys a hybrid, then forgets and breeds it to a pure species and now thinks he has a pure species turtle, that's irresponsible breeding. That person shouldn't be breeding if the knowledge of his own animals are a mystery to him.

You cant regulate how responsible a person needs to be to own animals, so unfourtunately, releases of captive animals will always happen. That however, should not restrict what a responsible person wants to breed.

 

[Zfishies]

I have some what bred reptiles before (turtles) but it was by accidentin the beginning and gave the eggs to the lfs never knew if they hatched. I wouldn't think the babies would escape because the pond had chic. .5 wire all over the pond but the what if factor is there still I understand. I didn't really plan on selling them until I had to many to handle but they would most likely go to people on MFK who are well known with reptiles, I see if their are any lakes or natural bodies of water near by before I start.

 

[Zfishies]

I have some what bred some reptiles before (turtles) but it was by accident and gave the eggs to the lfs never knew if they hatched. I wouldn't think the babies would escape because the pond has chic. .5 wire all over the pond but the what if factor is there still there, I understand. I didn't really plan on selling them until I had to many to handle but they would most likely go to people on MFK who are well known with reptiles, I will see if their are any lakes or natural bodies of water near by before I start.

bad english did it from my phone. rewrite...

 

[coura]

Oh boy. The old hybrid argument again. OP, do what you want. I used to have a hybrid red x blue tegu. Thats no different, and theres no problem with it at all, and its not irresponsible. People seem to think its an issue, and for the life of me i dont know why.

I would just like to know one solid reason why hybrids are bad. Even if the person is selling them, as long as they're advertised as hybrids, there is NO problem. People just want to make it a problem. Thats all there is too it.

Blue tegus are a special case, their gene pool is so small that some hybridization wont hurt. Actually long term it probably the only way we will find to keep them in the hobby...that is if a wild population isnt find.
Now, its important to say that hibridization is as old as life itself, we human beings ourselfes are of a hybrid lineage, it has been proven that neandertals are indeed extinct as pure but we do have genes of this species in our genome, we intergrated with them.
It is even questionable if there is such a thing as a pure lineage of anything.
Now if he wants to do a experiment...I mean this are very comom turtles, chances are that they wont even cross, there is likes and dislikes in the turtle world, even in the same species let alone...I would say that the cooter/res is the most likely to suceed cross.