In a recent post, I mentioned my concern over the official range map of this species:

"Why are they found deep into South Korea, including offshore islands?"

I know that most species range maps are a best-guess effort and may be very outdated, but there is significant evidence that this snake has a wider range than previously known.

Official range maps show Elaphe schrencki extending only in northeast Korea. Those references are incorrect. Internet searches on the alternate name “Manchurian Black Water Snake” find photos of wild specimens below the boundary with North Korea, including on offshore islands southwest of Incheon:

Adults
Ongjin, Incheon Korea (southwest island)
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/30904
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/30903
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/30902
http://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91019

Juvenile
Goesan Korea (inland south-central)
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/91024

Note the darker colors and weaker patterns. Bold patterns and high yellows seem to fade in southern specimens. (Ironic, since the real Korean Rat Snake, Elaphe anomala, is lighter in color than Russians, with yellow as a common base color.)

I hope that seasoned veterans like Spuckler, Mong, Cochran & others will comment on my findings & theory. I valued your time & efforts, and look forward to serious replies.

Ameron
Portland/Vancouver

1.0 Elaphe schrencki (Anerythristic)
1.0 Pantherophis guttatus (Miami phase)
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