Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was wondering if someone could help me with what I suppose is a genealogical or taxonomical question. I'm new to snakes, so this is still confusing to me.

The problem is that I can't figure out where Spilotes pullatus (if that is in fact the latin name for the tiger rat snake) goes. Now, a few months ago, I posted on the rat snake forum, and they told me spilotes was not really a rat snake, and that it was more closely related to the racers. I posted on the racers and coachwhips board, and they agreed that it was more closely related to racers. But I keep up with this board, too, and a few days ago I saw a spilotes post here.

Now what I'm guessing - guess being the key word - is that the drymarchons are kind of related to Drymobius, and that Spilotus pullatus is related to them. Is this accurate? If so, why doesn't Spilotes pullatus have either Drymobius or Drymarchon before it? Is Spilotes its own genus? This whole thing is really confusing, and I'd appreciate it if someone could straighten this out for me.

Thanks.

that is the correct latin name [so far] but biologists aren't really certain where they actiually fall. personally, they remind me more of large arboreal [masticophis] coachwhips than coluber or drymarchon. same head shape......

Yes Spilotes is it`s own genus. There are only one species in the genus Spilotes and 5 subspecies (I think). And it is not a true ratsnake nor racer, there are some differences in scallation and skelletal structures. Hope this helps you.
Hope i haven`t spelled the words to wrong (I`m from Denmark)
Jonas

Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. n/p