Is it possible for a Bairdi from Texas to be crossed with say a Trans Pecos rat? I've seen a pic of one that is soooo yellow on it's head and neck it looks more like a Trans Pecos, no silver at all till below the neck. Or is this just a really fancy Bairdi?
Thanks again!
Beth
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Bairdi hybrid?
btorgy
Sep 02, 2006 08:49 AM
Replies (2)
hermanbronsgeest
Sep 02, 2006 12:17 PM
Not very likely. Pantherophis bairdi has 36 chromosomes, like most ratsnakes (Old & New World). Bogertophis subocularis, in many ways a unique snake, has 40 chromosomes. So it's not very likely for these 2 species to produce viable offspring, assuming they're able to copulate which isn't very likely either. So in all likelyhood it's not a bairdi/subocularis hybrid.
shaky
Sep 02, 2006 03:29 PM
Baird's ratsnakes are variable, and I've seen ones from the eastern edge of the range that had very little gray on them - they were almost all yellow and orange. The ones from HWY 277 are known for a lot of light gray and red coloration as well.
Also, Mexican bairdi are noted for their overall yellow coloration and gray head.
The two morphs can interbreed, however, so any amount of variation can occur.
Bairds also will occasionally crossbreed with TX ratsnakes, but these do not display the best of both species. The ones I've seen actually are quite unattractive.
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