Thank you so much, V.
I owe you big time. Counting one side is perfect, because we really count pairs.
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You are right, they are animals that are so gentle with people that it doesn't ethical, or safe to the animal, to "muscle" it too much.
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I have taken a pic of a large Rat Snake's tail, and then counted from there.
Of course, the shed skin is the best for everyone.
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What this is about is that I'm trying to ID a partial shed skin of an wild animal about 30 inches, found in south Florida, that has smooth scales,and a single anal plate.
Thanks again.
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Regards, Bill McGighan