thanks man, I appreciate the kind words.

I am always up for a challenge so when you post don't tell us what the given localities are and we can test our wits....

I was just over at the classified section and was amazed to see an animal that is clearly deserticola being sold as an affinis and was also amazed to see folks selling snakes but not taking the time to check the correct spelling of the latin name. I would have little confidence as a buyer in those sellers......

Maybe I'm just too anal......

Actually, I am always amazed when Pituophis nuts choose not to get Olive Griffith-Stull's work on Pituophis. Clearly in 2010 we are in serious need of a new publication (hurry up KJ!, please) dealing with our beloved Genus but don't discredit the efforts Ms. Stull devoted to giving what is still a fairly workable treatment. Can you imagine the many, many , many hours she must have spent stooped over a dissecting scope looking at scale counts, dorsal saddles, etc. of countless preserved Pituophis species and subspecies to arrive at the keys and descriptions she finally put together.

Try to get L. Klauber's work on the island forms of Pituophis also!

It is also worth it to seek out Sweet, et.al. works on Pituophis in the SSAR Catalog.

here is an image of a big, female, wild jersey pine to keeps us thinking about the source or it all..............

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