Reptile & Amphibian Forums

The C.oreganus on the left is from the Tehachapi Mountains.
It shows the classic small intranasal scales of a Western rattler.
The darker one on the left may be a X with a scute.
I found it on scutulatus turf, on the desert floor in Lancaster.
Although it doesn't have the destinctive "plates" between the supraoculars of a Mojave, it does have an enlarged "plate" as one of the intranasal.
Also it's pattern has a few characteristics of Mojave for the area.

Someone on this board (years back) was interested in these possible crossbreeds.
If you’re still around and interested, this may be one.

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The 'winder

lets try the image again

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The 'winder

That’s a spectacular photo. I have heard for a few years now about the Southern Pacific’s cross breeding with the Mojave green. I run a no kill snake removal service here in The San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas and only get the Southern Pacific’s. To break up the monotony, I find myself road cruising 110th street west Lancaster just to find something different (Mojave Green).

The cross that you found! How was the temperament? Was it easily excitable like the Mojave, or more relaxed like the Helleri?

Over the weekend I removed a Southern Pacific that rattled at the first site of me, and refused to take off and struck at me when I released it. Out of the almost five years of doing these removals, I have only had two other Southern Pacific’s act this way. It acted like a Mojave Green on a warm summer night.

Once again, great photo and a nice find.
Jason Mc

Thanks. Glad you like the photo.

The dark one, the suspected cross, was from 110th st.

He wasn't real aggressive, but the young'ns are usually more feisty than the big guys anyway. I guess they have to be.
I've noticed that most snakes are more aggressive in daylight than at night as well. Makes sense.

I wish someone was doing some DNA work on these, I'd like to submit a sample from this guy to see if the rumors are true.
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The 'winder

On my way back out to 110th st. tonight. Since its fathers day, my wife isnt giving me much griff about blowing all the gas.
I'll post some pics when I return.

Jason Mc

P.S. Maybe I'll find some crosses as well.