[Az-Geocaching] Another snake sighting...

[Bill Nolan]

Here is what my son had to say about the snake in the photo.  He is a
biologist specializing in reptiles.

-----Original Message-----
From: az-geocaching-bounces at listserv.azgeocaching.com [mailto:az-geocaching-

I did not figure out if this was a rattler or a gopher snake, but it
was between 5 and 6 feet long.

We found it enroute to Mica Mountain cache yesterday.

http://img.groundspeak.com/cache/log/335e2933-ba89-45b3-a4ee-d71301dc4056.jp
g



My son's reply>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Based on size and pattern as well as backgroud veg.  I am assuming the snake
is fairly large and southwestern.  Because of this the only possibilities
are bullsnake or Arizona glossy snake

Gopher snake/bull snake link pay attention to the second picture

http://www.coestatepark.com/gopher_snake.htm

Glossy snake link

http://www.californiaherps.com/snakes/pages/a.e.eburnata.html


based on the pattern i would lean toward bull snake, however Arizona elegans
glossy snake can be difficult to tell from the bull snake the only real way
is the bull snake Pituophis melanoleucus has 4 sub-ocular scales whereas all
other snakes including glossy snakes have 2.  The glossy does reach up to 70
inches in length but tends to have a slightly faded appearance whereas the
snake in the picture has a bold characteristic bullsnake pattern.  Also the
glossy snake has smooth versus keeled scales whereas the bull or gopher
snake has keeled scales, good luck telling that from the picture.