Posted by:
DMong
at Mon Aug 27 13:35:56 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by DMong ]
Well, just like you, I too like to know EXACTLY what animals I own to the subspecific level. Your watersnake is a very tough call due to the lack of locality and all the extreme variation they can exhibit.
But as far as I can tell, especially with the pic when it was young,....that it is "pictiventris". I say this because of the dark spots between the bands on the side(less so in fasciata), and also because of the red worm-like checkering on the belly.
Don't take this as me saying it is "pure", because it could VERY WELL have influence from other gene-flow. There's just absolutely know way to know,....period!
Like I said, there could be intergradation there, but it is in no way a "hybrid",....that technically is an animal derived from two unrelated species or genus, not subspecies,....especially two subs that are in an "overlap" zone.
In any case, enjoy what you have!......it is what it is.
I don't claim to be a taxonomist, but that's the best I can do, others will always disagree on things like this, but that's usually expected!!LOL
best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"
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RE: what kind of southern water snake? - DMong, Mon Aug 27 13:35:56 2007