How Do Snakes Mutate?

Genetic mutation refers to the permanent change of a gene's DNA sequence. Mutations can either be inherited from a parent or acquired during the course of an animal or human's lifetime. The various types of mutations include morphing, behavioral and biological adaptation and point mutations. People breed snakes and other animals to achieve rare colors, dwarfs and albinos, but mutations can also occur naturally such as with the large Tiger snake of Chappell Island.

  1. Color Morphing

    • Genetic mutation in snakes occurs when humans selectively breed snakes with particular color traits. If a red and a yellow snake breed all red snakes except for one orange, the breeder will keep the orange snake to breed it with another red snake in the hopes that it will bear another orange snake. It may take several generations of breeding for the orange, recessive gene, to prove itself. After performing enough selective breeding it will likely cause a morph.

    Size Morphing

    • Since a snake's genetics affect a number of its characteristics, breeders have also morphed snakes to be smaller than normal. Dwarf versions of snakes, such as the Reticulated and Burmese pythons, are created by singling out the runt snakes of the litter and proving their midget genes over time, eventually causing stunted growth.

    Point Mutation

    • Since genes determine the properties of salivary glands' digestive enzymes, their genetic mutation has led to the creation of snake venom, a significant contributing factor to the snake's evolution. Certain snakes developed a venom that affects the nervous system while others developed a venom that attacks the cardiovascular system. These mutations are called point mutations because they affect a single point in a gene, possibly even just a single protein.

    Behavioural and Biological Adaptation

    • Snakes will adapt to their surroundings, causing them to mutate over time.The Tiger snakes of Chappell Island off Tasmania's coast have much greater access to a plentiful food source, the mutton bird, than the Tiger snakes of Tasmania. The Chappell Island version of the snake changed over time, growing larger with bigger venom glands and jaws to help them consume the many mutton bird chicks.