Animagi reproducing?

[corinthum]

No: HPFGUIDX 90653

SnapesRaven asked:
 
> I don't intend to imply any animagus pairings here... I just
> wonder.  Just for fun (and to make your head spin), imagine what > 
would happen if a wizard in animagus form accidentally mated with > 
an animal of the species they turned into.

And Anne continued:
  
> To go one further (although this possibilty definitely catapaults > 
the theory way out of the pg to pg-13 range the series is written > 
in, and into the part I sort of really don't want to think
> about--at least not for the sake of a 'childs' series), when an
> animagus is shapeshifted, does it actually re-write its genetic
> code so that it is not just the form, but the DNA that changes?
> In which case, then I would guess that yes, animagus COULD
> conceivably...er...conceive...off spring with a totally different > 
species. But then we're back to the first question...when mom
> changes, does the child change also, or does the change in the
> womb's environment cause the body to reject it? 

Hmm, intriguing questions.  

We know there is a fundamental difference between the animagus 
tranformation and animal tranfiguration, namely, that one can keep 
his or her mind in the former.  So obviously an animagus does not 
undergo a complete physiological change; the human brain, complete 
with stored knowledge and memories, remains intact somehow.  This is 
further supported by the fact that Rita Skeeter is able to think 
perfectly clearly in beetle form, something she would never be able 
to do if relying on an actual beetle's brain.  

On the other hand, although it's never stated explicitly, I doubt 
Hermione fed Rita the Beetle leftovers from her own meals.  The was a 
leaf in the jar, wasn't there?  So it would seem that an animagus 
does undergo some internal changes.

Really nothing conclusive, I guess.  My opinion is that an animagus 
undergoes certain physiological changes that are necessary for 
survival (for example, respiratory system, digestive system), 
maintains the rest somehow (does that Poincare possible-proof cover 
this sort of thing?  :) ), and his or her DNA remains intact (hence 
providing a blueprint for the return transformation).  Therefore, I 
think that although physically capable of mating, an animagus 
couldn't conceive with an animal due to genetic differences.

As for if an animagus is already pregnant, I agree that it doesn't 
seem safe to transform.  The animagus transformation is a learned 
skill, so the baby would not change, in my opinion.  And a human baby 
in a non- or partial-human mother just can't be good.

- Corinth, who sees nothing wrong with this thread, and loves 
pondering the science of magic