A friend of mine brough back two milks caught in upstate New York across the street from each other. The larger one is a very husky 3' but typical milk in pattern (Nice light brown saddles) much like that in Markel's big Kingsnake book. The belly is greatly reduced in checking and has a rose flush.

The second snake is a mystery. The snake is about 23" and has normal looking 30 blotches on the back which are very dark gray-black with redish centers. The side blotches come up like bars. The belly is heavily and darkly checked like a cornsnake. Then there is the head. There is a heavy black band just in front of the prefrontals and what looks like a incomplete spearpoint on the head. The head on this is more distinct fom the neck and appears longer. And no, the scales aren't keeled nore is there the typical sharp edged ratsnake edge to the belly.

The effect is something like a prarrie king except the saddles are too few.

It really is a tremendus variation for being found so close. Is this normal for E.M.s in that area?

Does anyone have good head shots of snakes from New York?

Thanks ahead of time.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

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