Audubon Field Guide Question

[marisa]

Hi! First I am using "National Audubon Society Field Guide to North America, Reptiles and Amphibians" I am sure there are many additions but I bought my Green covered copy last year...I am hoping one of you has the exact same book....

In the front photo section of the book there is a picture of a "Cornsnake" its number: 570 under "Snakes/Patterned"

To me, this is not a corn at all and mislabeled. I could be wrong, in fact I probably am. But does anyone else with this book see this? This snake is stout, has red eyes but not like a corn, I mean like orange red eyes. The markings are similiar to a corn but not on any corn I have ever seen and look more like a king if anything. But sure enough its labeled "cornsnake"

Can anyone give me more information?
Marisa

[Matt]

hey marisa,
I just looked at it and your right, it is not a common looking corn, it fact it is sorta odd looking.
BUT, and this is only my opinion, I think it is a corn, just browner than most and probably hypomelanistic. Other than the colour and the eyes a bit, it definitley has the corn body shape and pattern.

[marisa]

thanks...its just very odd looking. It looks kinda stout in the neck area to be a corn in my eyes...but then again it might just be very very well fed! *L*

thanks!

marisa

[Scotty Allen]

Yes Marisa, that is a corn snake, at least by Behler and King's definition. What is pictured is the western subspecies, E.g. emoryi or Great Plains Ratsnake. If you check the text (pg. 65 you'll see a breadown). A poor choice for a photo of a "cornsnake" for certain, the common name Great Plains Ratsnake would have been more appropriate. Plate #608 is a far better example, particularly of the "Okeetee" type so sought after by collectors.

[marisa]

I was confused by that. Thanks for clearing it up. I didn't know if that was a picture of a corn or another species they had listed in the write up or what was going on. thank you.

marisa