Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This dor ufo (unidentified flattened ophidian) was found in Calhoun county, Texas on 12-11-07. It shows one of the three water snakes on the dorsum (broadbanded, diamondbacked, or blotched)and maybe a bit of Gulf salt marsh snake on the venter? Or maybe just a real smashed cottonmouth! No head was left and it was pretty leathered. Any guesse? The belly is throwing me, no clear crscents or spots.

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Todd Hughes

Hmmm.........hard to identify the un-identifiable!...LOL

certainly all these would be just guesses,......but it looks like Nerodia of sorts to me.

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

I go with rhombifer based on the alternating band pattern.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I can see enough to absolutely rule out cottonmouth, but that's about the best I can give you.
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What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

I've seen Nerodia rhombifer with ventral patterns very similar to that. I wouldn't put money on that ID, though.

NERODIA PANCAKEUS QR FLATTINI Not quit sure would have to do a scale count.

Nerodia smashaloti!.....I think it could very well be an intergrade of ALL the above!..LOL

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

rhombifur is my first choice, they are as common as broad bandeds there, but most I have seen are unmarked yellow bellied individuals or so I remember...where's the Ginko?
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Todd Hughes

DAMMMIT! I can't see the pic! Jeff