Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Took some good macro pics of one of my "Hondos" today.
Note the weirdo-lookin' "nostril" holes in each of the scales!...........I never noticed before because they're basically too small to see with the naked eye!...........freaky!!
Doug

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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

WOW! Excellent screensaver.

I love those macro scales pics. Did you see the one's on the photography forum? chrish posted a link to a bunch He/She photographed. Check it out.
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Vichris Variables

chrish posted a link to a bunch He/She photographed. Check it out.

Here's the link - smg.photobucket.com/albums/v689/charrison/snakes/scales/

and it's he,.....last time I checked. LOL

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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Sorry DUDE. My name is Chris too and I get the same thing so don't feel left out. BTW those scale pics are great.
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Vichris
"The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane"- Marcus Aurelius

Vichris Variables

Great shot! I've noticed those holes on pictures of cave rat snakes and corn snakes. weird

Doug
The weirdo-lookin' "nostril" holes in each of the scales are called "apical pits". I think all members of the Kingsnake group have them. On a large individual they are naked-eye visible.

Cheers,

John D
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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

Thanks!,....I'm actually very surprised I didn't know that myself!. I have heard of the term, but didn't really know what they where.
I did some quick research, and sure enough there it was. Some authorities believe they are evolutionary bristle/hair remnants!
......strange indeed!
I wonder if they could have possibly served as a helpful sensory organ, like in the hairs or some other animal forms!?
I can see I'm going to do some more "followup" on that!LOL
anyway, thanks again!.................................Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!

Doug,

That's awesome.

Here's my favorite apical pits shot (Black Milk). It looks like a choir of little black ghosts with a couple of them singing!

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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Chris,.....That's funny as heck lookin'!!LOL,...they do have little "faces",...some singing, some with a surprised look on them!!LOL.....that's great!

I did see lots of you're photos in "photo" forum, and others. And it seems like you've held a few cameras in your day!!LOL.......very good stuff!

Doug
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Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!