[NatureNS] Northern Red Bellied Snake colours

From: John and Nhung <nhungjohn@eastlink.ca>
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
References: <3D8115A5-805E-4FD9-BA70-44503CA461DF@gmail.com>
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 2015 18:59:13 -0300
Thread-index: AQH1TwvVeGKXPA/yedxKnDIUXcjd7p3V9iuQ
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects

Index of Subjects
I have never had a problem separating red-bellies from ringnecks.
Redbellies have th e three yellow spots around the neck in various sorts of
fusions, and have a series of longitudinal stripes dorsally. Ringnecks have
a pale yellw ring wround the neck and a solid bluish gray colour dorsally.
Yup, then there's the scale contrast (keeled versus smooth).  

Difficult snakes to confuse, if you've seen both.

-----Original Message-----
From: naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca [mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca]
On Behalf Of naturens
Sent: August 26, 2015 6:40 PM
To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
Subject: [NatureNS] Northern Red Bellied Snake colours

The chestnut-red colour on the back of this dead Red-Bellied Snake was even
more showy than its orange underside when I flipped it over:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/92981528@N08/20876896856/in/dateposted-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/92981528@N08/20715331518/in/dateposted-public/
I am more used to seeing much duller, brownish RB Snakes. 

When I was searching around to see what I might find out about colour
variation in RB snakes I came across this Acadia Univ Herp Atlas website
page: http://landscape.acadiau.ca/herpatlas/photopages/compredring.htm 
It pointed out that Ring-Necked Snakes in NS can also have red bellies
(rather than the yellow I am used to seeing) and the two species can easily
be confused. Something I will have to remember when making a hasty ID from
now on.

I have seen many more snakes this summer than in previous years (E
Dalhousie, Kings Co and vicinity)- on the beach, in the woods, along roads
etc. Has anyone else noticed this in their areas?

Nancy

I took the dead Red Belly home and put it in the freezer just in case
someone might be doing a study or such? Let me know if anyone wants it.


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects