Suggestion about using scientific names

[Roman]

Hi Sandy,

no need to apologize at all. As I just said in my PM I think it rather interesting how a simple post might get misinterpreted and I think it is really kind of you to try and explain something to someone (even if it was not necessary in this particular case)

Roman

[Chu'Wuti]

Thanks for your kindness in saying I'm being kind, Roman; however, I'm quite sure there are those who wish I'd shut up already!

I'm glad that you're sticking around to get to know us better!

[Roman]

Originally Posted by Aaron_S

Problem is scientific names are just as finicky as common names for misuse.

Isn't our corn snake forum currently elaphe guttata guttata and not pantherophis as they have been re-classified? Happened some years ago now.

Aaron, I don’t think that changing the genus or even the species of a certain snake is such a big issue. At first it will lead to some confusion but as with Elaphe --> Pantherophis the changes will be common knowledge pretty soon.

But the most important point about using the scientific name is the definite knowledge which reptile is really meant. As NBLADE already mentioned a common name may be clear, but more often as not it is not and here it might become tricky or even dangerous, e.g. if you talk to somebody from South Africa about Garter Snakes – you might think about Thamnophis but he could talk about Elapsoidea, an elapid snake from sub-Saharan Africa.

Roman

[Aaron_S]

Originally Posted by Roman

Aaron, I don’t think that changing the genus or even the species of a certain snake is such a big issue. At first it will lead to some confusion but as with Elaphe --> Pantherophis the changes will be common knowledge pretty soon.

But the most important point about using the scientific name is the definite knowledge which reptile is really meant. As NBLADE already mentioned a common name may be clear, but more often as not it is not and here it might become tricky or even dangerous, e.g. if you talk to somebody from South Africa about Garter Snakes – you might think about Thamnophis but he could talk about Elapsoidea, an elapid snake from sub-Saharan Africa.

Roman

I never said not to use it but I believe if someone is going to use the scientific name they should also list the common name.

I disagree though how you say pantherophis will be common knowledge soon. Changes DO NOT take hold quickly. As stated, it was changed years ago. People still don't recognize borneo short-tail, sumatran and brongersmai as 3 different subspecies.

There is a problem though either way we look at it though as whoever determines these classifications have a lot of debates over it. Species change on a regular basis and most people just don't know.

With tarantulas they are constantly changing even the scientific names.

[Terranaut]

Maybe this is why I prefer pictures