Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently spoke with someone from the DNR about a bunch of laws and new laws. I mentioned possibly getting a P.m.pimbura and was curiouse to the law. They mentioned they thought it was dropped as a subspecies a few years ago but they were not sure if that was the accepted taxonomy. If it is just a variation of P.m.m. I would need to have a permit and such or if it is somewhat of a cross of P.m.m. and P.m.b. I would also need the permit. I was under the impression they were still considered their own subspecies but neither of us knew for sure. I figured you would so I mentioned I would ask you. He (Scott Ballard) also felt you would know and would be a good person to ask. And if it is ok, I will pass on the info you give me. Thanks

Unfortunately, P. m. pimbura has been dropped as a subspecies of molurus and both CITES and the USFW consider P. m. molurus and P. m. pimbura to be equivalent more for enforcement purposes than for taxonomic reasons. Because CITES does consider both molurus and pimbura to be the same subspecies, they are therefore both listed as Appendix I animals. However, the real issue stems from the fact that molurus molurus was placed under the Endangered Species Act when it was originally promulgated. This being the case, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Management Authority requires the same permits for pimbura as those needed for activity with molurus molurus. Even though pimbura is not considered a valid subspecies, most people still refer to them as such when talking about molurus from Sri Lanka. Although color and pattern differences are quite apparent, scalation differences are very slight, and this presents a problem in differentiating them taxonomically. Pimbura do tend to have a prominent pinkish-red color on the top and sides of the head and a more irregular pattern and a larger amount of yellow in the background and belly than m. molurus. To me, the head shape of an adult m. pimbura is also distinct from that of m. molurus, and the arrow marking on top of the head is virtually absent in a classic adult pimbura.

Kelly

That is a gorgeous Pimbura Kelly
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Todd Spinosa

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