Leucistic coachwhip?

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rjadams
Posts: 39
Joined: October 28th, 2010, 6:52 pm
Location: Salinas, CA

Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by rjadams »

Pre-post script - It has been confirmed! It is NOT leucistic. I'm just at the trough in a San Joaquin Coachwhip learning curve!

Hello,

While on a birding trip through the vast grasslands of southeastern Monterey Co, I found an unusual snake. Unfortunately, I was focused on the birds and didn't notice it until it sprang from almost under my feet and dashed towards a burrow. I got just one shot of its tail before it disappeared. I believe its a San Joaquin Coachwhip but the coloration is paler than any of the other photos I've seen. Is this within the realm of normal variation or could this be a leucistic individual? Thanks!

Unfortunately my attempt at embedding the photo didn't work (I did read the sticky note on this topic), but the photo is on my Flickr site at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21529332@N ... hotostream

Cheers!
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Chad M. Lane
Posts: 567
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
Location: Manteca, CA

Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by Chad M. Lane »

How in the heck did you get Leucistic out of that snake?


Looks normal.




Cheers,
Chad
rjadams
Posts: 39
Joined: October 28th, 2010, 6:52 pm
Location: Salinas, CA

Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by rjadams »

Thanks for the insight Chad!

All of the pictures in my field guides and most of the ones I've found on-line look distinctly darker orange or red. None seemed as pale yellow and pink as this one. This is also my lifer San Joaquin Choachwhip so my practical experience until now with this snake is zilch.

Thanks again for checking the snake out.
Cheers!
RJ
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Ross Padilla
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Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by Ross Padilla »

I was a bit disappointed when I saw the picture. lol Its alright, you'll learn. I was there too at one time. Just remember, morphs like that are very rare.
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AndyO'Connor
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Joined: June 7th, 2010, 7:14 pm
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by AndyO'Connor »

Man talk about getting one's hopes up... Still a very cool snake, but the others are right, a "normal" San Joaquin coach. I'd love to see some of these in the wild some day, my favorite North American species besides Drymarchon.
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Chad M. Lane
Posts: 567
Joined: June 7th, 2010, 4:40 pm
Location: Manteca, CA

Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by Chad M. Lane »

Image

Here is a browner/green one.

Image

That's a really pink one taken with my very old Kodack POS Point and shoot.


Congrats on your lifer, I've seen dozens only have photos of two. :x lol



Cheers,
Chad
rjadams
Posts: 39
Joined: October 28th, 2010, 6:52 pm
Location: Salinas, CA

Re: Leucistic coachwhip?

Post by rjadams »

Thanks everyone for your help with this snake!
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