Certianly does resemble a Regina.

If you have a copy of Behler and King check out Plate 519 of the Graham's which resembles the dorsal of your specimen. The double row of belly spots is more suggestive of the Queen shown on Plate 22 of Conant and Collins.

My thought is that this is a waif - that is, an unfortunate individual who has been transported to your region by human action. This could occur inadvertently perhaps in a boat, or deliberately as by someone releasing a WC they took home.

Keep an eye out for additional specimens where you caught that one. If you find more it may be a true range extension or isolated colony. If you think that is the case you should contact a professional herpetologist to report your find. Joseph T. Collins can be contacted through the CHAH website here:

http://www.cnah.org/index.asp

Keep on herping!

John D

Link


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0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"

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