Reptile & Amphibian Forums

...have you guys noted the difference in head morphology between Eastern & Western getulus???
The cali-head is proportionately longer & wider w/ a real neck,& broad face... whereas the chains/floridas seem to have shorter narrow heads w/ a much sharper snout, & little neck. The holbrooki specs appear to be the intergrade area regarding head shape....Assuming the larger easterns eat more large mammals...I would expect the opposite trend?

YES! you are absolutly correct.

.....yeah, never really thought about it before...BTW Ive got some jpgs you aint gonna believe....

I dont know I used to think that 2 but Ive seen so many different varations of size its not even funny. I own 18 or so Easterns and they all have differnt shaped heads. From pointy snouts to rounded ones. Some have thicker necks others have thinner. Another thing to note is I once read that prey size of kings has an effect on head shape and size. One guy thinks that thats why you will sometimes see wild snakes with really big heads because they are eating big prey. In captivity we usually feed oppropriate sized food items. Dont know how scientific that is but it kinda makes sense. Ive also seen that many Georgia Eastern Kings have a narrow snout thats more pointy where the N. Florida Kings seem to have a squared off nose. Again I think its too variable but maybe you are right in that certain characteristics go with each sub but then there is varation within the characteristics , its interesting to discuss. Try and post some pics of what you are seeing and Ill do the same so maybe we can map out the differences.

Keith

>>...have you guys noted the difference in head morphology between Eastern & Western getulus???
>>The cali-head is proportionately longer & wider w/ a real neck,& broad face... whereas the chains/floridas seem to have shorter narrow heads w/ a much sharper snout, & little neck. The holbrooki specs appear to be the intergrade area regarding head shape....Assuming the larger easterns eat more large mammals...I would expect the opposite trend?
>>
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Well youve surely seen more easterns than I ever will, but from the cupla-dozen or so Ive seen, they just look different 2 me.
If you see, or have, a chain w/ a cali looking head & neck please post it.

Hastas / RxR

Better yet post a pic of what you are referring to. It would be easier for me to find a match that way.

Keith
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hope this helps and nice banded sand vs. night

....yeah thats getting there, also ck out

http://www.sloanmonster.com/forums/showthread.php?s=7e86bbecd18af30bc76c4ad75b93339f&t=5870

To see a real typical long broad cali-hed as well as about as far east a cali as youre gonna see, note this ones head is getting all dark like a good splendida

Lemme see if Ive got a decent jpg already hosted...hhhmmm...not really, but this is closer than nada...