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ID Request: Annulata or Hybrid?

Ameron Jul 06, 2014 07:12 PM

The woman who sold it to me was misadvised and thought it was a Sinaloan. I have no idea of the origins, it is a classic rescue tale where I got it third-hand.

I’m thinking that it might possibly be an “Orange” milk cross between a Nelson’s & Pueblan, but more likely it’s an annulata. Online photos I find most resembling mine are almost all Mexican Milks.

His light bands are tangerine orange on his head at the tip of his tail; most middle bands are a golden tan. What say you seasoned veterans of Milkland? What do you think I have??
Link

Replies (9)

Aaron Jul 06, 2014 09:47 PM

I'm not sure what type of snake that is but the cage is awesome.
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markg Jul 07, 2014 11:12 AM

I could not see its head clearly. The orange bands look annulata, but the body shape is too long and slender for classic annulata IMO. From the body shape, it looks like a cross with possibly Sinaloan or Nelson or Pueblan or maybe Honduran in it. Is it a large snake?

I attached a pic of a Pueblan cross.

Ameron Jul 07, 2014 01:53 PM

Said to be about 4 years old, I think that he is 2-3 years old and is not yet fully grown. (I may be wrong.)

He is small & slim, only about 30 inches long.

AaronBayer Jul 07, 2014 03:09 PM

my initial thoughts are nelson X mexican. but it is very hard to tell from those pics.

i'm sure it's a cross of some sort so your guess is as good as anyone elses.

if you could get a couple full body shots and a belly/chin shot that would help a little.

Ameron Jul 08, 2014 12:16 AM

I posted more photos, but must apologize for my housemate. He disregarded my *specific* instructions to focus and hold the camera steady. So instead I got maybe 4 somewhat useful photos and had to trash over 12. I don't know why some people can't be attentive.

Here is a link to mutant “Orange” milk snakes that are campbelli & nelsoni cross:
http://www.reptilesbymack.com/Orange-milk-snake.aspx

Mine does not look anything like these. The most salient clues in guessing my species are:

Small size
Dark, rich, red blood color is not dark orange in sunshine, it becomes venetian red
“tiger stripe” lines on jaw, on the right side one angles backwards looking like a slit throat
Pale bands are very thin, usually only two scales thick (not wide like a Pueblan)
Pale bands are tangerine orange only at neck & tail, elsewhere they are golden tan
Black bands are 2-3 times wider than pale bands
Red bands are about 2 times wider than combination of pale & black bands
19 total pale bands
15 total red bands
Head & snout are not pointed, they are blunt like a bullet and forehead is duller than rest of head

The other Milk snake species he resembles are Blanchard’s (not as bright & orange) and Atlantic Central American (not quite so dark tipped, and smaller body size).

All the evidence suggests a Mexican Milk. If he is a cross, he is likely a Mexican x Nelson’s mix, but I highly doubt it. After seeing more (bad) photos, what is your latest guess?
Link

Ameron Jul 11, 2014 11:24 PM

The link has new photos, some are decent. Note my last post about size & specific traits.

Still think it's a cross?

markg Jul 25, 2014 07:41 PM

Yes, a cross. I still think nelson x pueblan.

Sunherp Jul 13, 2014 02:20 PM

Don,

Hope you're well.

That animal has at least "some" nelsoni heritage in it. Possibly a nelsoniXannulata cross or nelsoniXcampbelli (the second being more likely). Regardless, good on ya with the rescue and enjoy the animal.

Take care!
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-Cole

Ameron Jul 29, 2014 02:22 PM

After much investigation, I think that he might be:

Lampropeltis triangulum sinaloae x abnorma

I will post photos to document my case later.

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