Introduction and Thamnophis Field Herping: San Francisco Bay Area

[Zach_Lim]

Tami-

Excellent find with that Nevada county multicincta. Certain populations in the Sierras are often very "dark" with many black crossovers (a trait I find simply beautiful). Near the Merced Drainage and into the adjacent National Parks, there are actually axantic zonata that turn black and white with age!

In regards to your pictures of your captive zonata, it is hard to tell what subspecies it is. However, from what I can see, judging by head and width of white bands, I am leaning towards multicincta. Locality will be IMPOSSBLE to determine without any notes or reference from the person who, I figured, caught it from the wild. I say WC because few CA people are breeding any subspecies zonata as they are not legal to sell or used as barter within the state. Only L.zonata agalma can be sold in the state.

Here is the breeding pair I flipped in San Mateo county, CA:


And to keep this Thamnophis centric:



T.atratus atratus from San Mateo county that represent the two pattern "phases" that can be found there. The above is the classic single, wide stripe, while the other is a YoY representing the "multi-stripe" phase.

[snake man]

the atratus looks a little crumpy.

[jitami]

Tami- Excellent find with that Nevada county multicincta. Certain populations in the Sierras are often very "dark" with many black crossovers (a trait I find simply beautiful).

Thanks! It was a lucky find for sure. I love the black crossovers as well.

Near the Merced Drainage and into the adjacent National Parks, there are actually axantic zonata that turn black and white with age!

How cool is that?

In regards to your pictures of your captive zonata, it is hard to tell what subspecies it is. However, from what I can see, judging by head and width of white bands, I am leaning towards multicincta. Locality will be IMPOSSBLE to determine without any notes or reference from the person who, I figured, caught it from the wild. I say WC because few CA people are breeding any subspecies zonata as they are not legal to sell or used as barter within the state.

Yes, I assume the same despite their story of buying her. I am happy to house her as my one zonata, though

Here is the breeding pair I flipped in San Mateo county, CA:


And to keep this Thamnophis centric:



T.atratus atratus from San Mateo county that represent the two pattern "phases" that can be found there. The above is the classic single, wide stripe, while the other is a YoY representing the "multi-stripe" phase.

I'm still so impressed that you flipped that breeding pair! Love the atratus, too, of course. The multi-striped phase would have me confused if I found it... now maybe not quite as much. lol