New arrivals from Horridum Angeli!



These two incredible babies just arrived today and are a perfect example of the extremes in pattern of Heloderma. Much like how gilas are highly variable, their southern cousins are the same.



One shows a great example of what I call "rib bars" (for lack of a better description). They are large blotches running ventral/dorsal on their lateral sides. I have seen varying degrees of "bars" but usually not this uniform and 4 between the front and rear legs on both sides. Like having fewer numbers of bands on cinctum between the front and rear legs lends itself to higher color, the opposite exists with beadeds. And in between the bars their is a lot of color that is going to come up with age. A GREAT example of this trait can be seen in Daniel Beck's book "Biology of Gila Monsters and Beaded Lizards", plate 13, middle animal in the top row, with the stubbed tail.



The other has a more "uniform" pattern with some baring but has loads of color in the back feet as well as blotches all the way up to behind the head already.



Thanks again Steve.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]