Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Please only the unusual.

I found this monster in chambers county, east texas. I've caught hybrids before, but never one with three influences. It's a Nerodia fasciata confluens X Nerodia erythrogaster transversa X Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster. Flavigaster and transversa intergrade frequently, but seeing confluens influence in the mix is definately rare.


I also found a confluens X clarkii hybrid that looks very strange. If you want pics, I can upload them.

I thought a hybrid is a different species to a differnt species cross. I think what you have is a natural intergrade.

What would have happened is an erythrogaster intergrade (transversaXflavigaster) crossed with a fasciata confluens, involving two species but three subspecies, making the snake a hybrid. It isn't technically a three-way "hybrid", but the subspecies flavigaster and transversa have extremely different coloration in their pure forms, making this a VERY odd looking snake. If it were called anything, it should be 3-way intergrade, intergrade/hybrid, or intergradeXpure.

Just curious, how can you tell it's a 3-way hybrid? Which two do you suppose were the first 2 breedings, and how can you tell? Just wondering...
~brian

The snake was found in a natural intergrade area. That means that most or all of the erythrogaster found there are flavigasterXtransvera. Every eryth I have found there has the pattern of transversa with a dark green wash over the body as it ages (coming from flavigaster). So, the snake is erythrogaster(transversaXflavigaster)Xconfluens. My guess is it is 50% confluens, and 50% erythrogaster. It definitely shows traits from all three. I hope this answers your question, but I couldn't understand what you wanted.