Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...including some adults this time, when we herp southern Illinois this spring break. This is a neonate from a spring '04 trip, plus a habitat shot.

Neo timber was found at the base of these bluffs.

That's too cool and thanks for the habitat shot!
Todd Hughes

You betcha! Is that a neotropical rattlesnake? Is that you holding it? When, where? Wow!
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Carl

Nah, that's a blacktail. Oct. 1-2, 2005, Brewster county, Texas. Yep, me holdin, and she was real sweet 'till some bonehead put the hook on her head too hard.Lots of herps seen on that trip, she was out in the day coming down to get a drink.
Todd Hughes

...an axanthic desert king? Do you live in TX?
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Carl

Carl, he's not axanthic, it is just a color morph of the desert kings here. Granted, this is the first one I have found that was not yellow and black, but I have heard of others finding black and whites. I will be searching for a locality mate for him this year. I live in Corpus Christi, Texas, a good 250-300 miles from this guys habitat.
Todd Hughes

More of a light cream color, I would say. Very light. Here are some norms from around my neck of the woods.
Todd Hughes

First two Nueces county, Texas. Third, the Brewster county for comparison. Same camera, same lighting, same time. The labials all look cream to me but the body colors are different, as well as the pattern.
Todd Hughes

Nice great plains rat... just crop out the linoleum or tiles in the background, and it'll look like a field shot!
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Carl

Yeah, the Brewster county one REALLY stands out!
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Carl

That is one BEAUTIFUL animal! I hope you find a partner for it -- that needs to be bred!

I just recently got a Christine, TX locale bullsnake from John Cherry. He says it's going to change a lot in coloration as it grows up. I'm quite smitten with pituophis -- I also got a pair of New Jersey northern pines from John. Someday I'll get down to Texas to herp...who knows, maybe this year. I went herping in Florida last spring break -- first time I'd been there. It was awesome, to say the least.
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Carl

i hope to go to the Daytona show this year and do some herpin' as well. Here's one you might enjoy from Brewster as well. Saw 22 that night!
Todd Hughes

(np)
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Carl