One of the problems with common names is that the obscure relationships in exactly this manner.



For example:



Scarlet Kingsnake

Eastern Milksnake

Eastern Kingsnake

California Kingsnake



Which of these four are the same species? The Scarlet Kingsnake and the Eastern Milksnake are the same species as are the Cal King and Eastern King.

If you asked the same question using the scientific names, the answer is obvious -



Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides

Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum

Lampropeltis getula getula

Lampropeltis getula california





In general, snakes in the genus Lampropeltis are referred to as Kingsnakes as a group. So every member of this genus could be called a kingsnake. This genus includes:

L. getula - Common Kingsnakes (Eastern, FL, CA, Black, Speckled, etc)

L. alterna - Gray-banded Kingsnakes

L. mexicana - Mexican Kingsnakes

L. ruthveni - Queretaro Kingsnake

L. pyromelana - AZ Mtn Kingsnakes

L. zonata - CA Mtn Kingsnakes

L. triangulum - Milksnakes (and the Scarlet Kingsnake)

L. calligaster - Prairie and Mole Kingsnakes



In other words, the problem lies in the common name milksnake. They are kingsnakes because they are in the same genus with all the other kingsnakes, but we call them milksnakes (except for one subspecies which we for some peculiar historical reason still refer to as the Scarlet Kingsnake).



It isn't just a kingsnake/milksnake issue -



Trans-Pecos Ratsnakes, Green Ratsnakes, and Black Ratsnakes are all in different genera (now), but are all called ratsnakes. The Cornsnake is in the same genus as the Black Ratsnake, but isn't called a Ratsnake at all. Furthermore, one subspecies of the the Cornsnake is known as the Great Plains Ratsnake.



This is why scientists (and some hobbyists) prefer to use the latin names when talking about snakes....there is less confusion.
-----
Chris Harrison



...he was beginning to realize he was the creature of a god that appreciated the discomfort of his worshippers - W. Somerset Maugham

[ Show Entire Thread ]