Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Another Golden, CO gentilis

Is it just me, or has anybody else noticed that some of the N. American milksnakes have different head shapes? Multistrata, Gentilis, Taylori, Syspila, Elapsoides and "Temporalis" seem to have much smaller heads, in proportion to their body size, than say Celaenops, or Annulata. They also seem to have heads that are less distinct from the body. It's as if they were designed for an even more fossorial lifestyle than other Triangulum, especially those south of the U.S. border.
-Phil

You're absolutely correct. The rostrum of many of the NA ssp. is more pointed and the head in general is more flattened than many of the Latin American forms. Based on morphology and mtDNA, there is a push by some herpetologists to divide the species triangulum into several species. Time will tell if the studies hold any water.
-Cole

How do you like these shots of them Cole? I think they turned out pretty good. Can't wait to take more (more beer this time) Dell, your heads still big!

Here's the Yellowstone

Which one was this, I should have labled them

That was a Weld Co., CO gentilis (gentilis x multistrata intergrade probably). Those pics are stunning! I'll bring a few snakes over soon and we can take more photos - that is, if you let me photograph your pyros this spring! Are you still going to breed your knobs and greeri this spring? I'd love to shoot pics of those guys hatching!
-Cole

Don't get me wrong here the Yellowstone co. is great but the photo could use more focus. And berrys always help for a good photo. ha We'll work on it this week.

Dell
Bighorn co. multistrata