I just finished typing a nice long post about the following info, the accidently shut the window before posting it. I'm not going to re-type it, but I will give the basic points with links to the info (sorry).

According to the NHIC's (MNR Natural Heritage Information Centre) website & Winter Newsletter, Black Ratsnakes (Elaphe o. obosleta) are now considered to be Central Ratsnakes (Elaphe spiloides).
....so does this mean Elaphe o. obsoleta are now legal to own in Ontario (LOL, I had to ask)

Common names will no longer be two words, they are now one, e.g. ratsnake, milksnake, watersnake.

Brownsnakes and Red-bellied snakes have each been broken up into two sub-species:

Storeria d. dekayi - Northern Brownsnake
Storeria d. wrightorum - Midland Brownsnake

Storeria o. occipitomaculata - Northern Red-bellied Snake
Storeria occipitomaculata pahasapae - Black Hill Red-bellied Snake


Please check out the links for more info:
http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/d..._WINTER2004.PDF

http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/MNR/nhic/s...ptiles_2003.pdf

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