Hmmmn... actually at first I did assume you meant just what Tony suggested. A possible syspila (red milk) intergrade. The southern extent of the Appalachians has/does produce some interesting milks. For instance, in north eastern AL, there are integrade zones between reds and easterns right along side of pockets of what appears to be pure eastern milks. It's possible due to geographic isolation that some of these relict populations could just have found their specific niche. I can attest to having found 'red' eastern milks in extreme south-western NC as well... making the mounatins of SC not too far a stretch. Though I have also seen dark... if you will 'ugly' easterns in western SC. I also vaguely remember running across a file photo of an animal described as a temporalis from the western part of the state -- though just kinda smirked it off. I've talked with some and the distinction seems to have a direct correlation to elevation. Being that more of the reddish animals I've seen or heard of come from at least the foothills of the range. Personally I rememebr seeing them as a kid... at about 3500 feet of elevation. Now does it make them a natural intergrade or just a different phenotypic representation of a very widespread and adaptive snake... lol... dunno on that one. Given the circumstances I'd say both are viable possibilites until samples are established and tested.

Ok after the rambling... here are a couple temporalis shots... NJ to MD and onto NC.



Chris

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