Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know a good way to differentiate the two? I recently got a female bimaculata and want to pair it up, but there is a lot of confusion in the hobbyist literature.
Al W.

Hi,

It is sometimes very hard to tell, and sometimes it is impossible because people have crossed dione with bimaculata.
The best way you can see the differnce is the shape of the head.
Bimaculata have a very Narrow and long head and dione Broad and blunt.
Also the incubation time of eggs. Dione average about 20-30 and bimaculata 40 .

Here is a good article about it:
http://www.ratsnakefoundation.org/modules/article/view.article.php?c6/42

Best regards,
Gidi

ps You can post a pic of them here on kingsnake I am pretty sure some people can tell you what species it is. Good luck!

Thanks,
Al

Al, post a photo. There's a few of us working with dione and bimaculata that can tell them apart just by looking. It's the overall view with many characteristics that gives it away. Only the central Chinese dione are easily confused with bimaculata and that's based on superficial appearance. In hand, they are easy to tell apart. Are you sure you have a bimaculata? Also, you can email any breeder of bimaculata, and they can tell you for sure, and you can be sure you're getting a bimac. Good luck....

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Ratsnake Haven...researching ratsnakes since 1988

Ratsnake Haven Group...an information providing list site.

Thanks, looks like bimaculata which was my original assumption.
Al