Wednesday, February 15, 2006

 

Suboc look-alike?

Meet Pituophis lineaticolis...the TP rat's twin.
Dowling and Price, the two people who, in 1988, proposed that subocularis and rosaliae be given their own genus of Bogertophis instead of Elaphe, proposed also that the Bogertophis animals were more closely related to "Pits" than to other "rat snakes". After seeing these animals, I am a believer.
Another amazing photo by Michael Price.

Comments:
These are actually much bigger than "Bogeys". Mike was telling me that the San Antonio Zoo received some that were a mere 7 ft. : )
So, inch per inch and scale per scale they are "Pit" through and through.
 
Reportedly, there is speculation that they may not even be a ssp. Many look exactly like subocs from Texas.
And to answer your question...
To my knowledge, no. They are protected in Mexico, and the collecting of them is prohibited.
 
I haven't heard anything about that. From what I gather, they are basically subocs from Durango. Same size, pattern, etc. I know that their lateral lines on the neck can sometimes be thicker, but then so do some Bogey's from this side of the Rio.
Even if "amplinotus" were longer, that doesn't make them qualify to be a subspecies. But I am sure you know that...I just try to clarify things on here for newcomers to the hobby.
For example, the Okeetee locality of corns tends to be a larger race within the species.
 
The similar appearance of these two snakes could easily be mimicry of the mexican Crotalus durissus. They also share similar neck striping.
 
That would be cool if that were the case! Thanks for posting!
 
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