Snake ID in SC - Page 3

StudentoReptile · 06-09-12, 10:00 AM

I'm sorry if I came across as condescending. Its just that in these situations where someone is asked to identify a certain animal in their area, the logical thing to me seems to look at all possibilities in the native species of that area before automatically jumping to non-native species.

I will concur that America ratsnakes (Pantherophis/Elaphe obsoleta sp.) do kinda have a python-esque look to their head and neck regions. But I suppose I have just had enough experience with them that when I see one, I think "that looks like a ratsnake!" not "that kinda looks like a python!"

I stick to my point from my previous post that if people were more familiar with species endemic to America (and I'm not just talking about anyone here), then these kinda of issues would not arise....and (lol) we certainly wouldn't see outlandish news articles where concerned citizens see a harmless ratsnake and fear its an escaped boa or python from the zoo!

kernel · 06-09-12, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

I'm sorry if I came across as condescending. Its just that in these situations where someone is asked to identify a certain animal in their area, the logical thing to me seems to look at all possibilities in the native species of that area before automatically jumping to non-native species.

I will concur that America ratsnakes (Pantherophis/Elaphe obsoleta sp.) do kinda have a python-esque look to their head and neck regions. But I suppose I have just had enough experience with them that when I see one, I think "that looks like a ratsnake!" not "that kinda looks like a python!"

I stick to my point from my previous post that if people were more familiar with species endemic to America (and I'm not just talking about anyone here), then these kinda of issues would not arise....and (lol) we certainly wouldn't see outlandish news articles where concerned citizens see a harmless ratsnake and fear its an escaped boa or python from the zoo!

This^^^ is exactly my thinking. I still don't see anything python like about the rat snake though. Maybe that's just because I have allot of experience with rat snakes and know North American snakes pretty well.

Caylan · 06-10-12, 02:58 AM

The "fact" that black rats look more like pythons than most native colubrids, is still true, whether one sees it or not. They have a longer head than most colubrids, especially native species to the US. I may not have much experience with NA rat snakes, but I do have eyes.... regardless of all that it is still a rat snake, and even if it were a released python, I see no reason for the media... its still small, still isn't hurting anyone, and is actually a rather cool sight to see, again whether native or non-native/python. Anyway, I know pythons do not occur on this side of the world anyway, so I'm no less for wear... Just surprised people are willing to argue about this, it just isn't worth it. Even the government could care less unless it hits 10 feet long....

knox · 06-10-12, 06:38 AM

I can certainly see how a Black Rat's head resembles that of a python:

But make no mistake, the snake in question is, without question, a Black Rat.

SSSSnakes · 06-10-12, 07:38 AM

Talk about "Beating a dead horse".

knox · 06-10-12, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Talk about "Beating a dead horse".

Naaahhhh.... Just having some fun talk about snakes.

StudentoReptile · 06-10-12, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by knox

Naaahhhh.... Just having some fun talk about snakes.

Better than beating a dead snake! Which hopefully wasn't the fate of that "python" in South Carolina!!!

kernel · 06-10-12, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSSSnakes

Talk about "Beating a dead horse".

We are reptile hobbyist, this is a reptile forum and we are all here to talk about about reptiles.

After observing the last pic, I do kinda see the resemblance, but barely. Looking at a rat snake would never make me think "python".

knox · 06-10-12, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kernel

We are reptile hobbyist, this is a reptile forum and we are all here to talk about about reptiles.

Indeed

knox · 06-10-12, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Better than beating a dead snake! Which hopefully wasn't the fate of that "python" in South Carolina!!!

Nicely stated.

bigdog2003 · 06-12-12, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Better than beating a dead snake! Which hopefully wasn't the fate of that "python" in South Carolina!!!

They still haven't be able to find it, which is a good thing for the snake.

StudentoReptile · 06-13-12, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog2003

They still haven't be able to find it, which is a good thing for the snake.

You mean, they lost it?! I mean, it was like, 15-20 feet long, right?! How does one lose track of a snake that size?

bigdog2003 · 06-16-12, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

You mean, they lost it?! I mean, it was like, 15-20 feet long, right?! How does one lose track of a snake that size?

The guy is still telling people the snake is atleast 15 feet long. I guess he has to keep his 15 minutes of fame going.