Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Forgive the intrusion into your interesting forum, but I need subcaudal scale count on Eastern Indigos.

Can't find any on line or even in the dozens of field guides I have.

Could some of you just count one or two of your animals? There may be a difference in the sexes.
Just a few real world examples could help.
Thanks a bunch in advance.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Dear Bill, I tried to count, not real easy with these powerful snakes that don't want to be tightly contstrained... One male D. couperi had approx. 67 subcaudals on one side (maybe you should double this since they are split?) One female had approx. 63 and another female approx. 61. These counts are on one side of the tail only, you may double them to get approx. total. If this is important, shoot me a PM at the FHF website, and you can educate me on how to get the most accurate count. I think they need to be "tubed", but I don't want to do that with my gravid females, but I would be happy to do so after ovoposition. Vic H.

Thank you so much, V.
I owe you big time. Counting one side is perfect, because we really count pairs.
.
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.
.
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.
.
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

Here is a scan of a young Drymarchon m.rubidus female
She moved slightly during scan.

Hope this helps

Alan B

Thanks so much, Alan.
It does help.
I appreciate your effort.
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Regards, Bill McGighan

Flat bed scan of the tail works very well