Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It was found in Arizona? I don't know what it is?

No, it looks like a white sided black ratsnake. If it was found in Arizona, it was someone's escaped pet.
Chris

Doesn't look exactly like the black rat morph. Is it possible that its the same trait showing up in one of the western rats like the TX rat?

That would be interesting. I at first thought a ghost glades but the pattern appears a little more irregular than the ones I have seen. I have seen some young brindle whitesideds that appear that light in color but I would think one would be darker patterned at the size the snake in the pic appears. I'm sure there is more variability in the 2 morphs I mentioned but I have not seen enough adults for comparision.

Would be interesting to know of this trait turning up in another herp.

Rich Hebron

Well we've already seen it in bull, black rats and Brook's kings so I see no reason not to see it elsewhere. What was intitially "off" to me on this animal is the shape of the head as well as the size and prominance of the eyes but now that you mention it the color would be off for a straight white sided black rat too. Seems to me it would be highly unlikely that a white sided brindle black rat would be found in the wilds of AZ as they are still extremely rare in collections.

If an obsoleta-ratsnake, it would have to be an escape in AZ no matter what subspecies...

Or released like I hear a couple of herpers (Florida) have done with poor, feeding or selling elaphe over the years.

Rich Hebron

are the scales keeled or smooth? if smooth its not a bull. does it have 2 or 4 internasals? if 4 its a pituophis. it not, and in either case my guess is e.obsoleta.
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