Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Read a paper from ramond hoser about differences in the "crown" (single large scale directly on top of head) in ( I hate to use these words........) "East" and "West" Black heads. The paper says that the "western" region BHP have a small "pyramid" type of scale directly above this large single frontal. There can be one of these, or a group of several small ones that separates the two larger scales above the single frontal.
I had never personally looked at my animals reguarding this but there IS a difference between the animals that I bought as east and the ones I got as west. Check these pic's........
Here are the east head shots.......

And here are the west..............

It's really hard to capture the scales on a shiny Black head. LOL.
If you look closely you can see the scalation difference.
What I would like to know if there is anybody that has known "East" and "west" to compare?

And so we're all on the same page....we aren't talking about sub oculars.
Look at the single large scale on top of the head and look directly on top. the "east" have two larger scales that come together. The "west" are separated by either one pyramid like scale or a group of smaller ones that are inbetween the 2 on top of the crown.
It would be intersting to know if this is a variable or if it is indeed a regional difference.

Probably a variable. I really don't know Mr. Hoser, but go to the Taxonomy board...there's much talk about him
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I know all about hoser. Whether he is credible or not doesn't solve the fact that there are differences with-in the BHP population.
I've heard from 2 breeders that say they haven't seen this type of scalation in ANY of their animals, OR none they have produced.
The animals in question are directly from Casey's "West" locale animals that he imported in the mid-late 90's. These (my)animals haven't been crossed with any other BHP. It raises a good question if it is indeed a locale variant.
Also, I have gone back and found every pic I could find on BHP's. Where there is locality data available, I have found that the "west" animals have the same scalation as the above mentioned.

I'll look at mine when I can, maybe get a pic. They ARE hard to photo
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1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I see scales....lol.....mine are both like your western pics. Small scales above (or behind, depending on which way you're looking) the larger main shield scale. This is consistant with the scale head drawing in Dave Barkers book of Australian pythons. So I guess I have a pair of westerns, then.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC

I think you're looking at the wrong thing. Go back and look at my photos again. You're seeing the 2 scales above which is on every BHP but on my west pic's there is a scale in-between or a group of small ones that separate the other 2.
I need a photo shop program to highlight the scales in question because the barker drawing Doesn't have them (or it)LOL. In fact, the only west animals in the barker book picture's are too small to see if they have them.

I'll have to do pics of their heads. Was busy this morning as one of my timors got out late last night. Swore I shut that cage...she was shedding. Found her about 1/2 hr ago not far from the cage. A bit chilled, but otherwise ok.
-----
1.1 Blackheaded pythons
1.1 Woma (Juvie female)
2.1 Aussie Olives
1.1 Timors
1.0 Angolan Juvie
1.1 Savu
1.1 Juvie Bloods
1.1 Juvie Balls
1.1 IJ Carpets
1.1 Coastal Carpets
1.2 Macklotts
1.1 Papuan Olives
1.0 Jungle Carpet
2.2 Scrubs (on breeding loan)
0.1 Jungle/Diamond cross
0.1 child, CB
0.1 wife, WC