does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

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jimoo742
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does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by jimoo742 »

I have my doubts, partially because it is outside the Massachusetts range of the eastern ratsnake... this was taken in Ipswich (NE Massachusetts) and on Northern Woodlands magazines site for a quiz

http://northernwoodlands.org/witwit/legless-lollygagger


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jimoo742
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by jimoo742 »

jimoo742 wrote:I have my doubts, partially because it is outside the Massachusetts range of the eastern ratsnake... this was taken in Ipswich (NE Massachusetts) and on Northern Woodlands magazines site for a quiz

http://northernwoodlands.org/witwit/legless-lollygagger


Image

I guess I could be just way wrong, I was thinking a dark Nerodia
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Ridge Walker
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by Ridge Walker »

100% Nerodia.

RW
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incuhead2000
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by incuhead2000 »

Ridge Walker wrote:100% Nerodia.

RW
Agreed, there are some red bands on that snake and the face doesn't look like a rat at all.
jimoo742
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by jimoo742 »

Thanks. That is what my entry was... was shocked when I saw that.. the ratsnakes only really occur (some other records exist) in the CT river valley and one other site in MA.
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Mike VanValen
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by Mike VanValen »

Yeah, that's a watersnake. Check the ventral colors showing through.
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CrimsonCoils
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by CrimsonCoils »

The dead give away for me was definitely how high set the eyes are on the head.
jimoo742
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by jimoo742 »

http://northernwoodlands.org/editors_bl ... ake-debate

I'm very happy that they have made a correction
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Mike VanValen
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Re: does this look like an eastern ratsnake to you?

Post by Mike VanValen »

I see stuff like this often. Most of the time the person just won't admit the ID was wrong - anyone remember the kid who posted a video here of him handling a large southern black racer, which he believed to be an indigo snake? After dozens of corrections from the forum he still held fast to his ID. I think the video is still up.

Good on them for making the change!
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