Tessera, now in color!!

[Irish Eyes (Mrs.Z)]

Who cares whether or not Tesseras are possibly hybrids?

I have hybrid birds. A friend of mine has hybrid birds (we both have macaws). Two of hers look 100% pure Scarlet, and you can't tell these two from the purebreds by looking, no matter how hard you try.... And we both have hybrids, that while they don't LOOK pure, are THE most beautiful macaws we've ever seen, and therefore are very desirable AND valuable because of those stunning good looks.

However, I think that taking the chance of insulting the discoverers of the Tessera morph by calling into question their integrity has the potential to do much harm to their reputation--and yours. From everything I've read, the people who discovered and/or bred these animals have been forthcoming and honest, and also have a reputation for being honest and forthcoming in their dealings with others.

For me, wondering if it's purebred or hybrid isn't important. What's important is that these stunning creatures now exist. It's not likely the whole wild (and captive) world is going to lose the original classic cornsnake genes because a new mutation/morph has been discovered and replicated. Why not simply enjoy the new Tesseras, and quit worrying about their gene pool? After all, if nothing EVER changed, we'd still be bacteria and enzymes in the primordial soup, and there wouldn't be this debate about the ancestry of a certain morph pattern .

I like that ultramel. I wish you'd just send it to me, Don .

 

[A10Airknight]

I fully concur with Irish Eyes. On top of that, I have just a few things to add.

Its a snake. Its pretty. I want one...

 

[whoty]

Is that response based off of actual knowledge? Or just a knee jerk reaction.

How do you know that the corns you've got (or what anyone else has, for that matter) are 'pure bred'. Who's to say that they don't 'integrate' in the wild? It's a difficult thing thing to call 'hybrid' (or pure) without first hand knowledge of genealogy, I would think. As far as most breeders (or anyone doing research on Tessera) are aware of, the Tessera is not a hybrid. To say it is a blatant crossing with something else would be outright calling Graham, KJ and Don liars- not to mention, I would like to hear some ideas as to what it could be 'hybridized' with, since most anything I can think of that would even remotely resemble the patterning are live-bearers. I have a Tessera myself and I can say it looks 100% corn- all the way down to the head shape.

I do not know if the corns I have are 100% pure. But,i can tell you this though. The corns I do have has all of the corn snake characteristics,ie pattern,shape,color,behavior. I just don't get why there hasn't been any blood test or DNA test to prove that tesseras are not hybrids. I mean,how much do it really cost. I'm not saying that tesseras are not very pretty snakes. I just don't plan on buying a corn snake that hasn't been proved to be pure.

 

[Tavia]

I want to see (and own, lol) a phantom tessera!

 

[whoty]

Just because you haven't seen it, who's to say it hasn't happened? A lion in the past, before documenting was possible, very easily could've had stripes. A genetic fluke. It happens all the time. When THIS genetic fluke happened, though, it was pure luck that someone was around to document it, and to begin to "harvest" it, in a way.

As for the Zebra and horse thing... totally different. Not only did they look different than horses in coloration, their body shapes were different, along with behavior. With Tesseras, the only notable difference is color. Body shapes is the same, and their behavior is still that of corns. They don't have live young, don't produce venom, and they don't grow to outrageous sizes. They're still corn snakes in every way but pattern.


The truth is, there might not be a "pure" corn out there. Every single animal that we know and love could be a "hybrid". All animals were wild once, and all of them could've had a grandparent 500 years ago that bred to the wrong species, and created "hybrids". Those F1 hybirds could've bred back to corns, and so on until they look like they do today... "pure" corn. It's a fact that some people seem to forget.

OK,so if I came up to you with this animal that resembles a horse...body shape,behavior and all,but it was black and white with stripes and i told you it was a horse,just a new breed of horse,what would you tell me?

 

[whoty]

Who cares whether or not Tesseras are possibly hybrids?

I have hybrid birds. A friend of mine has hybrid birds (we both have macaws). Two of hers look 100% pure Scarlet, and you can't tell these two from the purebreds by looking, no matter how hard you try.... And we both have hybrids, that while they don't LOOK pure, are THE most beautiful macaws we've ever seen, and therefore are very desirable AND valuable because of those stunning good looks.

However, I think that taking the chance of insulting the discoverers of the Tessera morph by calling into question their integrity has the potential to do much harm to their reputation--and yours. From everything I've read, the people who discovered and/or bred these animals have been forthcoming and honest, and also have a reputation for being honest and forthcoming in their dealings with others.

For me, wondering if it's purebred or hybrid isn't important. What's important is that these stunning creatures now exist. It's not likely the whole wild (and captive) world is going to lose the original classic cornsnake genes because a new mutation/morph has been discovered and replicated. Why not simply enjoy the new Tesseras, and quit worrying about their gene pool? After all, if nothing EVER changed, we'd still be bacteria and enzymes in the primordial soup, and there wouldn't be this debate about the ancestry of a certain morph pattern .

I like that ultramel. I wish you'd just send it to me, Don .

Ok,yes they have been honest and forthcoming. But,where is the actual proof that everyone has been waiting to see. Are some just simply turning there heads to the fact that it might be a hybrid because a big name breeder said so or what? I don't get it.

A while back some other guy from Fauna has some tesseras,different types at that,ie snow,amel,and anery. That guy got shut down quick and ppl were quick to say that his was hybrids. Why,because he wasn't a big name breeder? I dont know.

 

[Outcast]

I do not know if the corns I have are 100% pure. But,i can tell you this though. The corns I do have has all of the corn snake characteristics,ie pattern,shape,color,behavior. I just don't get why there hasn't been any blood test or DNA test to prove that tesseras are not hybrids. I mean,how much do it really cost. I'm not saying that tesseras are not very pretty snakes. I just don't plan on buying a corn snake that hasn't been proved to be pure.

Read what you just wrote. In your own statement you have contradicted yourself. Just because your corns have all of the corn characteristics does not mean they are pure. In your statement you have stated that you don't plan on buying a snake unless it is proven to be pure... Well, you already have done that, unless the snakes you do own were given to you of course.

 

[4riscorn]

Yeah I seen this a couple of nights ago. They are soooooooo gorgeous! I'd almost sell a body part for one....ugh..... depending on what part would sell lol

Yea, since I have that wonderful skin disease Vitiligo..I'd sell some of the bad skin for research!

 

[Camby]

I just don't get why there hasn't been any blood test or DNA test to prove that tesseras are not hybrids. I mean,how much do it really cost.

I am not a DNA expert and do not pretend to be, but I think this is the basics of the "test" people so loosely toss around. I also do not know the proper terminology but here is what I have researched and discussed with people who do know what all is involved.

Actually it is that hard to my understanding and it costs thousands of dollars. You need a gene pool of wc corns to test so you can get a pure "baseline dna". Then you would need to gather pure dna samples from different species of snakes that MAY be lending their genetics to create the tesserra. SO, before you ask or state it, no, there aren't labs sitting around with thousands of DNA samples of different snakes so they can test to see what the contributor is. Can you test and say "it is a hybrid because the dna doesn't match our wc base line? I do not know, but I know that at a minimum, you have to pay to test approximately 6-10 animals at several hundred dollars each test minimum.

Anyone feel free to jump in and correct me where needed, I have thick skin, it doesn't bother me.

I'm not saying that tesseras are not very pretty snakes. I just don't plan on buying a corn snake that hasn't been proved to be pure.

If that is the case, then why not just make that statement and leave it at that? I suspect you like causing trouble and are enjoying getting people blood pressure up (not mine, trust me, take more than your trolling around). If you didn't enjoy this, you would have remained silent or said "pretty snakes, congrats", but no you made your HYBRIDDDDDDDDDDD statement. Well, I am done with you. I still congratulate Don and his accomplishment and I wish KJ and Graham luck with whatever they are producing this year from theirs.

Oh and BTW, the other guy was dismissed for much more than not being a big time breeder. If you are really interested, then stop being lazy and search the forums and you will see why he and his snakes were dismissed.

dc

 

[sweet~nichole~marie]

You have to first identify genetic markers that are unique to each snake species before you can test the DNA and determine if the snake shows those markers or not. They can't even get it right with dog breeds (no matter what those advertisements at Petco say - save your $100-150 dollars, it is a rip-off), there is no way they have a large enough database of snake DNA to compare. Honestly, who else besides people on snake forums would even care??? Genetic researchers have their hands full with other research that brings in the big bucks. Identifying those unique DNA markers isn't easy, either. Sheesh, they probably haven't even mapped the entire genome of a cornsnake . . . scientists have been more concerned with more important projects . . . say the HUMAN genome. So, no, you can't "just do a blood test or DNA test".

Anyway, trying to get back on topic . . . . I just love that anery Tessera. I love all the gray snakes and the ones with funky patterns, so in my opinion, that one combines the best of both!!!! I have to admit, I thought the normal Tessara pretty but not something I would have bought, personally, but now that it is available in other colors . . . . soooo excited. Let's see a charcoal, or a lavender, or a cinder! Hmmm, what would a Tessera sunkissed look like? Do you think the pattern would be all crazy since sunkissed is also a pattern modifier? Would that sort of defeat the purpose of the Tessera gene, because it would destroy that nice stripe?

How about a quick poll? What morph or morph combo would you most like to see the Tessera bred to? This will also help Don, Graham, and KJ plan future breedings

I think a hypo lavender would be nice to see. Not sure about plasma, since I am not sure what the bloodred would do to the striping. If what we all like about the Tessera is the bold pattern, do we want to mix it with a gene that makes the pattern fade?

Any one else have any thoughts?

 

[whoty]

I suspect you like causing trouble and are enjoying getting people blood pressure up (not mine, trust me, take more than your trolling around). If you didn't enjoy this, you would have remained silent or said "pretty snakes, congrats", but no you made your HYBRIDDDDDDDDDDD statement. Well, I am done with you.

dc

Dude/chick whatever,calm down take a chill pill. No need to get your panties in a bunch. Trolling......funny.

 

[Shiari]

Odd this seems to be a recurring thing with you, Whotty. An addiction perhaps?

Anyways, I am seriously looking forward to tessera sunkisseds. I can't wait to see what bizzaro patterns result from *that*!

 

[CodeRed]

I'd LOVE to see some Lavender Tesseras. WAY out of my price range, but when I can afford it... at the top of my list If I ever breed, it'll be with them You can have some fun, fun, fun with this gene.

 

[whoty]

Odd this seems to be a recurring thing with you, Whotty. An addiction perhaps?

Anyways, I am seriously looking forward to tessera sunkisseds. I can't wait to see what bizzaro patterns result from *that*!

Ok,if you say so.

 

[wstphal]

I am hoping that Tessera diffused will have the wonderful top pattern & plain sides, just like Eric. Additionally, I would like to see what Anery Tessera will look like as an adult although I am sure I will like it as I already covet Anery Tessera based on the pictures in this thread! Ooh, how about Ghost Tessera? I think that might be a really excellent morph. And for you lavender lovers, how about Lavender Tessera? Sunglow Tessera? There are so many gorgeous possibilities!

 

[Tavia]

How about a Golddust Tessera or any of the related Caramel/Hypo morphs? I would like to see some of those. Or a Pewter Tessera.

 

[wstphal]

Oooh, Golddust Tessera would be pretty! Good idea. How about Coral Snow Tessera? Or Bubblegum Snow Tessera?

 

[carnivorouszoo]

I do not know if the corns I have are 100% pure. But,i can tell you this though. The corns I do have has all of the corn snake characteristics,ie pattern,shape,color,behavior. I just don't get why there hasn't been any blood test or DNA test to prove that tesseras are not hybrids. I mean,how much do it really cost. I'm not saying that tesseras are not very pretty snakes. I just don't plan on buying a corn snake that hasn't been proved to be pure.

Then you don't have any corn snakes? Why are you here? No one has DNA tested their snakes to prove they are pure. Dog DNA tests cost around $100 EACH dog. Can you really see paying $120 for a normal that has been DNA tested pure corn? The price would have to go up to cover the costs of the test. It doesn't make sense. If you do not think it is "pure" do not buy it its that simple.

Back to the OP: I LOVE those snakes! I am so glad I am only 28 and will see this gene become affordable for me in my lifetime.

 

[Tara80]

I am hoping that Tessera diffused will have the wonderful top pattern & plain sides, just like Eric.

LOL Betsy, I had to stop and think about that for a second. I'm sitting here thinking: "Eric has a top pattern and plain sides? And how does Betsy know?"

 

[Critter1398]

I'm usually not a big fan of snows, but that is AWESOME!