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RE: Baby?
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by GREGLONGHURST on April 4, 2007
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Okay, guys, the lady filled in a little more info...she is from Calhoun County, Illinois. That is a little north of the midland range, smack dab in the range for the northern. Perhaps it is close enough to be an intergrade. The diamondback (rhombifera) also occurs in that area, but I think that one can be ruled out. The yellow-bellied is also found there. All of this is according to Conant, who's generally pretty reliable.
~~Greg~~
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RE: Baby?
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by Cro on April 5, 2007
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Greg, thanks for the update on the location !
What a difference 500 miles makes, LOL !
I agree that the Yellow-bellied Water Snake and Midland Water Snake can be ruled out, and the Northern Water Snake is a possibility.
However, I am not so sure we can rule out the Diamond-backed Water Snake, Nerodia r. rhombifer. It is true that a ADULT Diamond-backed looks nothing like the little snake, BUT it is almost a dead ringer for a JUVENILE Diamond-backed Water Snake.
Take a look at photo 79b on page240 of Alan Tennant`s Snakes of North America. You will notice the unusual face shape of the juvenile Diamond-backed Water Snake matches quite well, and even more interesting, the lower row of vertical bars extend from the belly to about Half Way Up the side of the body, so that is a match also.
Now if we take a look at photo 62 in Tennant`s book, which is of a juvenile Northern Water Snake, Nerodia s. sipedon, we see that the lower row of vertical bars extend accross the belly and just barely reach up the side of the snake.
Perfect match ? Not totally. Good match, Yes. Could be an intergrade between a Northern and a Diamond-backed Water Snake. Based on the photos in Tennant`s book, I am fairly sure we are dealing with a juvenile Diamond-backed Water Snake, with possibly some Northern Water Snake mixed into its family tree just for fun !
Best Regards JohhZ
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