Posted by:
ratsnakehaven
at Fri Oct 19 06:32:06 2007 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by ratsnakehaven ]
>>>>nice, ive never heard of thornscrub, ill have to check it out.
>>
>>That has to be a made-up name (or one so old it shouldn't be used), and it only describes a PORTION of the habitat where they are found. Matter of fact, they are found in VERY different habitats over much of Mexico. Most people think where the come from in PART of Texas applies to all meahllmorums, but that is very mistaken.
>>
>>Anyway, the actual accepted name is southwestern ratsnake. Many hobbyists use "southern plains ratsnakes" instead, and I have seen this name in some journals. It isn't the "officially accepted" common name, though.
>>
>>KJ
>>-----
>> KJUN Snakehaven
Since when is there an officially accepted "common name?" I don't think Southwestern Ratsnake describes it very well, too ambiguous. I used to use Southern Great Plains Ratsnake, as it is closely related to the Great Plains Ratsnake, but the habitat doesn't match up well. The thornscrub matches up pretty well, and when you say "thornscrub" everyone pretty much has an idea of where you're talking about.
Now, since you know a lot about Mexico, how about describing some of these very different habitats they live in down there. I've never heard of anyone else ever trying to describe their Mexican habitat. Besides, what difference does it make if a species or subspecies has more than one common name, as long as readers know what you're talking about? It'll come out in the wash in the long run.
Cheers...TC
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RE: Bogus name - ratsnakehaven, Fri Oct 19 06:32:06 2007