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Unidentified snake: |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222  View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 Hi everyone Here's one for our snake experts. It was reported by someone using the recording facility on the site. There is a question of whether or not it might be a totally melanistic grass snake but to my mind the scalation doesn't look quite right and I am more inclined towards an escaped pet alien. Thoughts are more than welcome. Found in a garden in Altrincham, Cheshire - slightly dead possible by dog in garden or dropped by a raptor. Opinions/ID please.    Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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David Bird Forum Specialist Joined: 17 Feb 2003 No. of posts: 515 View other posts by David Bird |
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 I would say not a Grass Snake, head shape all wrong and the scales are not keeled like Natrix. First view I thought a King snake, the Albinos and Melanistics of any species are difficult to I.D. and do occur in many captive forms nowadays. The form that is always Black or Dark Brown is the Mexican Black Kingsnake which was Lampropeltis getulus nigritus, I am not sure if this is still correct but older books will have this as the scientific name. David British Herpetological Society Librarian and member of B.H.S Conservation Committee. Self employed Herpetological Consultant and Field Worker. |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222 View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 Hi David Many thanks. I must admit that my thought from the head shape in particular was one of the King Snake/Milk Snake family but I didn't want to prejudice any opinions. We shall have to wait and see if anybody differs but I think you have probably hit the nail on the head. All the best Chris Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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Alex2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 266 View other posts by Alex2 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 Dave's right, no question, it's a L.g.nigrita. Used to keep these myself. What a shame, Alex |
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Alex2 Senior Member Joined: 16 Dec 2006 No. of posts: 266 View other posts by Alex2 |
Posted: 30 Mar 2010 I may well be wrong but i would also say it appears that she's been beaten with something, quite a severe break to the vertebral column by the looks of it. |
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Paul Hudson Member Joined: 24 Sep 2004 No. of posts: 33 View other posts by Paul Hudson |
Posted: 31 Mar 2010 Looks like a Mexican black king snake to me Paul Hudson |
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Iowarth Admin Group Joined: 12 Apr 2004 No. of posts: 222 View other posts by Iowarth |
Posted: 01 Apr 2010 Thanks everyone - appears to be 100% agreement. Chris Davis, Site Administrator Co-ordinator, Sand Lizard Captive Breeding Programme |
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dave fixx Senior Member Joined: 13 Mar 2007 No. of posts: 319  View other posts by dave fixx |
Posted: 01 Apr 2010 glad everyone does agree it reminded me of a kingsnake I used to have but must admit to being a little shy in suggesting this. Dave 
Dave Williams davewilliamsphotography.co.uk |
- Unidentified snake |