View Full Version : Varanus albigularis subspecies question
Pirarucu
07-15-12, 03:18 PM
Recently I saw a classifieds ad selling "Varanus albigularis capiensis", a subspecies I had never heard of before. Looking at the pictures, they look identical to the V. a. albigularis I've seen. Was a new subspecies named, was albigularis reclassified as capiensis, or vice versa? Can anyone clarify for me what the deal is here? Google searches haven't come up with any answers.
marvelfreak
07-15-12, 03:30 PM
Were they on Fauna Classifieds. If so the guy selling them is from England and the shipping would be quit high. As for your question i wish i could help, but i have know idea.
Pirarucu
07-15-12, 04:08 PM
Yes they were on Fauna. I don't plan on getting one, as I have neither the space nor the money to afford one at the moment. Though if I was going to pay that much anyways, I'd go for it despite the high shipping cost. The costs of the care would so far exceed the initial cost that it wouldn't matter much to be honest.
varanus_mad
07-15-12, 04:34 PM
They are one and the same as far as im aware there is no difference in scale count or hemi-penal morphology that being said they are a local of a. albigularis the main difference is coloration there are a few colour locals knocking about this is one of them...
much paler than a typical a. albigularis.
Pirarucu
07-15-12, 04:36 PM
Ah, got it. Thanks for clarifying.
varanus_mad
07-15-12, 04:37 PM
Ah, got it. Thanks for clarifying.
Theres also one with brown banding to as opposed to black
Gregg M
07-21-12, 08:20 AM
Capensis is not a legit subspecies. It is Varanus albigularis albigularis. People like to make things up as they go along in this hobby so it seems. Color variation is not enough to grant sub-species status.
infernalis
07-21-12, 08:38 AM
Capensis is not a legit subspecies. It is Varanus albigularis albigularis. People like to make things up as they go along in this hobby so it seems. Color variation is not enough to grant sub-species status.
Sounds like someone trying to play the "Locality" game like folks do with snakes.
varanus_mad
07-21-12, 10:21 AM
Sounds like someone trying to play the "Locality" game like folks do with snakes.
Basically yes but his adults are stunning examples of a. a. Very clearly defined black bandingowith a very white foreground
Pirarucu
07-21-12, 05:35 PM
Got it, that's what I was suspecting from the start, but wanted to be sure.
Gregg M
07-22-12, 07:00 AM
Basically yes but his adults are stunning examples of a. a. Very clearly defined black bandingowith a very white foreground
It still does not make them their own subspecies. They are worth no more than any other cbb V.a.a. I have very stunnig examples of varanids and hognose snakes. Can I just make up a subspecies name for them based on what locality I THINK they are from too?
Plus, unless he went out and wild collected these animals himself, there is no way to tell if they actually originated from Cape. Not all capes are banded and not all banded are capes.
In my opinion, anyone serious about varanids or any reptile species should not just add a subspecies name because they feel like it or to add a few more bucks on to the price tag. In all honesty, in my eyes, it just makes them look bad.
It still does not make them their own subspecies. They are worth no more than any other cbb V.a.a. I have very stunnig examples of varanids and hognose snakes. Can I just make up a subspecies name for them based on what locality I THINK they are from too?
Plus, unless he went out and wild collected these animals himself, there is no way to tell if they actually originated from Cape. Not all capes are banded and not all banded are capes.
In my opinion, anyone serious about varanids or any reptile species should not just add a subspecies name because they feel like it or to add a few more bucks on to the price tag. In all honesty, in my eyes, it just makes them look bad.
Couldn't agree more Gregg. The person in question always seems more bothered about the money than the actual animals he keeps.
varanus_mad
07-22-12, 09:29 AM
It still does not make them their own subspecies. They are worth no more than any other cbb V.a.a. I have very stunnig examples of varanids and hognose snakes. Can I just make up a subspecies name for them based on what locality I THINK they are from too?
Plus, unless he went out and wild collected these animals himself, there is no way to tell if they actually originated from Cape. Not all capes are banded and not all banded are capes.
In my opinion, anyone serious about varanids or any reptile species should not just add a subspecies name because they feel like it or to add a few more bucks on to the price tag. In all honesty, in my eyes, it just makes them look bad.
No way really? LOL
Have a beer gregg
It still does not make them their own subspecies. They are worth no more than any other cbb V.a.a. I have very stunnig examples of varanids and hognose snakes. Can I just make up a subspecies name for them based on what locality I THINK they are from too?
Plus, unless he went out and wild collected these animals himself, there is no way to tell if they actually originated from Cape. Not all capes are banded and not all banded are capes.
In my opinion, anyone serious about varanids or any reptile species should not just add a subspecies name because they feel like it or to add a few more bucks on to the price tag. In all honesty, in my eyes, it just makes them look bad.
Couldn't agree more Gregg. The person in question always seems as though he is more bothered about making money rather than the animals themselves.
Gregg M
07-22-12, 09:47 AM
No way really? LOL
Have a beer gregg
Just sayin dude. LOL.
And I was having a beer as I typed. LOL
varanus_mad
07-22-12, 10:28 AM
Just sayin dude. LOL.
And I was having a beer as I typed. LOL
Absolutely n best way.
varanus_mad
07-22-12, 10:29 AM
Couldn't agree more Gregg. The person in question always seems more bothered about the money than the actual animals he keeps.
Hiya chris hows it going bud?
Hiya chris hows it going bud?
Alls good here Shane. Only just stumbled accross this forum, I'm impressed. Your albigs coming on a treat. He must have doubled in weight since I saw him!
varanus_mad
07-22-12, 11:18 AM
Alls good here Shane. Only just stumbled accross this forum, I'm impressed. Your albigs coming on a treat. He must have doubled in weight since I saw him!
At least mate I am very pleased with his progress he puts the argus's to shame.
Pirarucu
07-22-12, 01:12 PM
It still does not make them their own subspecies. They are worth no more than any other cbb V.a.a. I have very stunnig examples of varanids and hognose snakes. Can I just make up a subspecies name for them based on what locality I THINK they are from too?
Plus, unless he went out and wild collected these animals himself, there is no way to tell if they actually originated from Cape. Not all capes are banded and not all banded are capes.
In my opinion, anyone serious about varanids or any reptile species should not just add a subspecies name because they feel like it or to add a few more bucks on to the price tag. In all honesty, in my eyes, it just makes them look bad.Well said!
infernalis
07-22-12, 02:56 PM
Alls good here Shane. Only just stumbled accross this forum, I'm impressed. Your albigs coming on a treat. He must have doubled in weight since I saw him!
Another RFUKer??
Another RFUKer??
Yes mate. It looks great here too.
varanus_mad
07-22-12, 03:41 PM
Another RFUKer??
RFUKs great if you wanna have a laugh and a chat...
Occasional good debate on monitors but most of it happens on the quieter forums...
infernalis
07-22-12, 04:31 PM
RFUKs great if you wanna have a laugh and a chat...
Occasional good debate on monitors but most of it happens on the quieter forums...
Yeah, I know.. Most of my post count there is in the over 18 chat section.
I do check every day for newbs who need help with a monitor they should never have purchased in the first place.
varanus_mad
07-23-12, 03:56 AM
Yeah, I know.. Most of my post count there is in the over 18 chat section.
I do check every day for newbs who need help with a monitor they should never have purchased in the first place.
Yup thats pretty much what it is over there...
infernalis
07-23-12, 10:55 AM
Yup thats pretty much what it is over there...
I stopped frequenting the over 18 chat, the never ending discussions about bums, willies and whatnot got boring.
varanus_mad
07-23-12, 01:07 PM
I stopped frequenting the over 18 chat, the never ending discussions about bums, willies and whatnot got boring.
lol thats people for you.
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