Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Found this juvenile pyro on Saturday at 7200 feet in the Huachucas. Greg

Hi,
Thanks for sharing the pic. It looks nice, vibrant colors. Is it usuall for the to be up that high ?, I know down here when I look for zonatas I usually dont find them over 7000-(same with the rubber boas) thanks again for the pic.
jeff teel

Hi Jeff,
This is the highest elevation I have seen a pyro at. Last year I found one in the same canyon but lower down, about 6600 feet. Most of the Pyros I see are between 4000-6000 feet. I think the higher elevation snakes have a higher tendency to have black crossovers or abberant patterns. I have tried searching for pyros many times by flipping tin and rocks etc.., with no luck. Every time I have seen them has been by accident, usually on the side or middle of the trail. Greg

Here is one from the same canyon I posted last year.
wild woodini from 2003

Hi greg,
I remember that pic too. I thought that was a very nice pyro. I'm hoping to head to az this year to try and see some pyros in the wild. Back in 95 I was there for a wedding in sedona and spent about an hour looking around-(it was well over 100 out and I felt like I was just wasting time, since I was hoping to see a mtn.king) but thanks for posting those pics.
Jeff Teel

PS- do you ever keep and or breed pyros you find..?

Pyros do seem to occur higher in elevation than zonata. I have a male from the Chiricahuas that was collected from near 8000 feet. He is also one of the finest specimens I have ever seen. I'll post a pic later.
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Rick Staub
R&R Reptiles

Hi Rick,
When ever you have time post a pic that pyro. I would love to see it. Andalso, thanks for the help you had given me about my zonatas with the zonata disease. They didnt make it that long and thats why I never sent over a pic of them. I was bummed. Thanks again though for your time,
jeff teel