Quote:
Originally Posted by X-Factor
Evolution isn't an invisible "hand" per se, what "works" and continues is a result of success and subsequent breeding of that trait. It works, but not because some invisible force commands it or plays with the genetics. If it didn't work it would have disappeared, that it does suggests that the snake is at least somewhat cognizant of it. If they weren't aware of it then how could they use it? Instinct is possible, but as some point there had to be a connection made between "I'm green" and "that leaf is green" and "I can hide under that leaf." Chance plays no part in it.
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Are you suggesting that the forces of adaptation through natural selection are a conscious and 'aware' part of a creature's psyche? I guess I'm not following this logic...
especially as it pertains to snakes.
The very principle of natural selection (which is the framework of evolution) is that it is the time-proven, unseen force of trial and error, cause and effect over eons of time that determines what passes on, specializes, and functions successfully, as opposed to what does not pass on, and dies out. Take albinos for example...they occur in the wild, but the trait is rarely passed along because it's a naturally unsuccessful one, not because other snakes don't like the way albinos look...The animals rarely, if ever make it to adulthood because they are naturally 'weeded-out.' Obviously, if given the chance and environmental cues, as in captivity, a snake will mate with a counterpart of it's species as long as it's recognizable by scent alone, regardless of how the other snake
looks, this is how we end up with morphs.
I believe that snake species are genetically hard-wired in their behaviors, and that some have a natural instinctual predisposition to lay in leaf litter, for example, because this is part of their genetic footprint. I do not believe they are aware of nor 'care' what the
leaf litter looks like, just that they are predisposed to burrow themselves down into it. Over eons this has coincided with the natural selection of their color and body shape, and you end up with a naturally specialized animal with a naturally successful genetic blueprint that continues through generations. Same for arboreal species, etc. For example, in captivity, burrowing, ground-dwellers such as Dumeril's boas or Blood pythons will gladly burrow and dig in crumpled newspaper or aspen, even if it is not camoflauging them at all, but they naturally feel they are in their element simply because they are allowed to indulge in their instinctual behavior. Same goes for chondros who function and flourish on white pvc rods, as to them, it seems enough like a branch, even though it's visually far from one...they don't seem to be able to tell the difference, at least not visually...
