Your view of the reptile hobby

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

Weakness is also subjective. They may be weak to their native environment, but if they can live long in captivity(captivity being the new environment) then are they still weak? And if they are able to live long and healthy lives in captivity, is it still morally reprehensible and if so why?

How do you feel about humans nurturing the weak(handi-caps, disabled...etc)?

We're not talking about humans, we're talking about snakes. But since you brought it up....

Say you use the argument, a person with a terminal genetic condition since they were say, 60 was put on life support and lived to be 90. They are still weak. I don't mean that in a derogatory sense or insulting, just simple fact. That someone stepped in and hooked them to a life support machine, comes helps them use the restroom and brings them their food, etc, is irrelevant. That person is still weak compared to a "normal" person with normal health parameters.

Same with snakes. Sure a super-duper high-white abino cinnammin neon nut-crunch ball python can live for decades in a plastic tub being assist-fed every week, because of its head wobble....but you plop it in the African savannah and I'm telling you it is genetically weaker than a normal BP.

Same with dogs. You plop a healthy Golden retriever in the Pacific Northwest, and in a few months, you will have a thin, malnourished canine barely etching out an existence if it has not already succumbed to predators, disease, parasites or starvation. It is a domesticated animal that has become too dependent on human intervention. That is why wolves shun human contact (usually) and dogs thrive upon it (even stray/feral ones).

[Mikoh4792]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

We're not talking about humans, we're talking about snakes. But since you brought it up....

Say you use the argument, a person with a terminal genetic condition since they were say, 60 was put on life support and lived to be 90. They are still weak. I don't mean that in a derogatory sense or insulting, just simple fact. That someone stepped in and hooked them to a life support machine, comes helps them use the restroom and brings them their food, etc, is irrelevant. That person is still weak compared to a "normal" person with normal health parameters.

Same with snakes. Sure a super-duper high-white abino cinnammin neon nut-crunch ball python can live for decades in a plastic tub being assist-fed every week, because of its head wobble....but you plop it in the African savannah and I'm telling you it is genetically weaker than a normal BP.

Same with dogs. You plop a healthy Golden retriever in the Pacific Northwest, and in a few months, you will have a thin, malnourished canine barely etching out an existence if it has not already succumbed to predators, disease, parasites or starvation. It is a domesticated animal that has become too dependent on human intervention. That is why wolves shun human contact (usually) and dogs thrive upon it (even stray/feral ones).

I'm not talking about snakes that need support such as being assist fed, nor am I talking about snakes with noticeable handi-caps. How weak do you want to go?

So would you say that owning dogs is also morally reprehensible since they are genetically weaker than wolves? Dogs seem to do well under the right care, and so do reptiles.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by Mikoh4792

I'm not talking about snakes that need support such as being assist fed, nor am I talking about snakes with noticeable handi-caps. How weak do you want to go?

So would you say that owning dogs is also morally reprehensible since they are genetically weaker than wolves? Dogs seem to do well under the right care, and so do reptiles.

Its somewhat of a loaded question.

I think it is morally reprehensible to continue breeding animals when A) we are aware of the genetic issues and/or B) do it anyway for monetary gain.

I do not think it is morally reprehensible to care for such animals. Ex: adopting said animal from someone else as a pet, or from a rescue, with no intention of breeding.

I replied the way I did, because you asked the question:

They may be weak to their native environment, but if they can live long in captivity(captivity being the new environment) then are they still weak?

The answer is no. They are weak in whatever environment they are. The environment is what is changes. Now, one could make the argument that if husbandry changes for the better, the individual animal improves to a state which makes it stronger.