Can tri-color breed with western?

[jaleely]

I think i saw a post about something like this on here before, but it wasn't this exact question.

I only have two westerns, so i'm not planning a breeding project or anything. I'm just curious...
Western + Eastern paring?
and
Tri + eastern OR western?

Anyone know?

[snake man12]

I would say yes but I don't know about hoggies. I know you can do this with boids

[bladeblaster]

yes they could interbreed.

[StudentoReptile]

yes they could interbreed.

Okay, forgive me for posting on an old thread, but is there any proof of this? I'm certainly not going to definitely say "nay" but I have yet to hear of any tri-color hog hybridizing with any of the North American hog species.

I have heard of western x Mexican crosses, and I would imagine that an Eastern x southern hog is possible...I have never heard of, much less seen any evidence of the following:

Western + Eastern paring?
and
Tri + eastern OR western?

[bladeblaster]

Okay, forgive me for posting on an old thread, but is there any proof of this? I'm certainly not going to definitely say "nay" but I have yet to hear of any tri-color hog hybridizing with any of the North American hog species.

I have heard of western x Mexican crosses, and I would imagine that an Eastern x southern hog is possible...I have never heard of, much less seen any evidence of the following:

I may have been a bit hasty with my response. I think you are right, its probably not likely. They MAY breed, but its not quite as simple as I had thought.

[kernel]

Well, being that corns can be crossed with kings and milks, I would think it's possible. Wikipedia does however say they are DISTANTLY related, so it may not be possible. It would be cool try it though. I want one now.

[exwizard]

Im equally intrigued with certain hybrids myself. :)

[kernel]

Well, I meant I would love to have a tri-color, but tri-color x western would be cool to have to.

[exwizard]

itll never happen for me. Hognoses are native here.

[StudentoReptile]

Its all a matter of genetics really. Our taxonomy is often a little out of wack with exactly how closely some species are related to each other.

Kernel, like you said, many North American colubrids of different genera can mix, such as Pantherophis (or Elaphe?), Lampropeltis, and Pituophis.

Likewise, even species from different continents can cross like ball pythons to burmese or balls x carpets, etc.

Yet other species you would expect "should" be capable of interbreeding, will not (or at least will not result in gravid females or viable offspring/eggs).

[jaleely]

I think i looked up after this that it would be difficult...and would not work. I think there a lot of differences between the easterns, westerns, southerns...etc. all that. I know there are size differences and nose differences.

I am not sure if there are any wild hybrids in the U.S....but if it was possible it would probably be between eastern and westerns.

[TremTricolors]

Well, I meant I would love to have a tri-color, but tri-color x western would be cool to have to.

Can I ask why?


I am not sure if there are any wild hybrids in the U.S....but if it was possible it would probably be between eastern and westerns.
There really isn't any hybrids but natural intergrade zones where the 2 sub species overlap...

I am not big on Hogs, but have kept tricolors in the past and I don't think there is any negatives to them to have to try and cross them with another species. Just my 2 cents
http://i1231.photobucket.com/albums/ee515/KcTrader/trip1042.jpg

[StudentoReptile]

I have a friend who currently keeps/breeds nearly all species of hogs (westerns, easterns, tri-colors, Malagasy species). She says the tri-colors are completely different snakes from the North American hogs. They have smooth scales, and their behavior and breeding is distinctly different. Of course, they are in a different genus, but again, taxonomy is a tricky thing anyway.

[jaleely]

Exactly, that's kind of what i meant trem, by hybrids...natural interbreeding areas, etc. : )

As for that pic of a tri...you can tell the scales seem smoother, and the head shape is different than the estern or even western hogs.

The original reason i even posted was because i was wanting a western with more vibrant colors. There are some pretty nice westerns, but no coloring like THAT!
I've done a little more research since then.

Really, they are all beautiful though.

[Gregg M]

I would not be one bit suprized if a tricolor/western hybrid turns up down the line. Some of you are looking at physical differences to determine if a cross is possible. This is not a way to tell at all. What matters is what happens on the molecular level.

From a taxonomic stand point, the most compatible species that can be crossed with Westerns would be Mexicans and Southerns.

For the record, there are no Western hognose subspecies anymore.

[StudentoReptile]

Regardless of whether it is indeed possible or not, I just thinking mixing a tri-colored snake with a brown/tan snake would result in a very ugly snake!