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Tantilla Gracilis. On first sight thought was possible leucistic but really think it's just a very cool albino. Found several normal ones in the area. Under good lighting there are faint hints of some banding but the eyes are so small can't tell if they are red or not. Found in North Texas on 04/22/05.

Enjoy
Scott Robinson

I think that actually is a luecistic. Great looking snake! You are very lucky to have found it...

Banding pattern in Tantilla gracilis?? I've never known of any Texas Tantilla to have bands - are you sure of the ID?

just wondering...

travis
austin, tx

To be honest, I've never known them to have bands either. Initially it was thought to be Sonoran semiannulata, but the scale counts disproves it. I had it ID by several other reputable people, to be sure, before I posted it as such. Thus the term "Lucky Find". I also have ventral shots of it as well which pretty much makes it Tantilla. The great photos were taken by Mike Balderas.

Scott Robinson

I reckon I'll have to take your word for it then. Do you know which scale count(s) determined the difference? As far as I can tell, the presence/absence of the loreal scale is the only one I can find, but I can't see that in your picture. How did the ventral pictures help determine the ID?

It certainly is a remarkable beast! Are you planning on trying to keep it? If so, I see lots of insect larvae and centipedes in your future...

travis
austin, tx

A friend counted the rows of scales on the back. The vent is split also. The reason is say it's probably more albino than leucistic is the belly is a very light salmon color almost all the way down. I'll post the two ventral shots when I get home. Honestly, with the lack of pigment and the very faded bands, this guy was very hard to ID. And thanks, it is a very cool little guy. Really kind of shocked that something so small and stuck out like a sore thumb, made it so long. It's approx 6 inches in length.

Scott

Scott and Mike,

The problem is that Tantilla gracilis and Sonora semiannulata both have 6 supralabials, 15 dorsal scale rows, and a divided anal plate. The key between the species is the presence (Sonora) or absence (T. gracilis) of that loreal scale between the preocular and the nasal scale. It looks like Tennant's key uses the loreal to distinguish between the species as well (neither species has a row of subocular scales). 

Michael was kind enough to forward me a couple of other pictures that certainly show a beautiful red belly on this beast - an interesting clue leaning towards gracilis as the ID. Unfortunately, the head shot isn't clear enough to show the scale pattern on the head.

I really appreciate the opportunity to look at the other pics of the animal - thanks!!

travis
austin, tx

Travis,
The final determination was the subocular scales below the eyes. I keyed it out with Tenneant's "A field guide to texas snakes".

Mike

Actually, the pictures were taken by my Fiance Bonita Taylor.

Hey,

That sure has T. gracilis gestalt written all over it, IMHO.

The final determination was the subocular scales below the eyes. I keyed it out with Tenneant's "A field guide to texas snakes"

Snubbed by a Tennant citation! ROFLMAO!!

Presidio county looks iffy BTW. Still a chance, but a slim one.

B
-----
Chris Harrison

B -

Have you ever seen a Tantilla with bands? I agree that the belly pattern screams gracilis, but I'll remain skeptical until the presence/absence of the loreal scale is determined.

Presidio will be fun...don't wimp out.

M

travis
austin, tx

Well after giving it three seperate looks over a period of a week, sucker isn't the easiest to work worth, it appears that the loreal is indeed lacking. Now we open a whole new can of worms. Would you like bands with that gracilis sir?

On a totally seperate note, it appears that I may actually have it eating red wigglers. Went digging today and found one less worm. Not to say I didn't overlook it, but *fingers crossed*. It's not loosing any weight, and drinks regularly. Also out cruising at night.

Mike