Science in the Sonic Universe

A thought occurred to me: Biology states that animals, by nature, 'imprint' on whatever's around them, and they generally take on the fundamental characteristics like personality style, and behavioural traits from whatever object or being they've imprinted on within a certain period of time. This also relates to choice of mates and ability to form strong bonds with such mates.

It's pretty obvious that Echidnas would choose Echidna like, and this makes sense in a reproductive manner; Echidnas are some of the few mammals that are warmblooded and produce eggs - but if an Echidna were raised by, say, a family of Owls, would they take to living in trees, or trying to mate with an Owl?

.... So that brings me to my main question - admittedly, Mobians are a bit more sentient, but they keep to pretty similar rules and traits.... SO WHY SON/SALLY??? WAS HE RAISED BY CHIPMUNKS? HOW DID TAILS GO FOR A MONGOOSE? CLEARLY, EACH OF THEIR PARENTS CHOSE MATES THAT WERE ANATOMICALLY SIMILAR AND COULD PRODUCE CHILDREN WITH THEM....

Why? Just why?

If you wanna take the continuity in any seriousness, I'd love to sit down and discuss this, here and now! ^3^;;;;

*too much time to think*