This is a 1st for me... never a reptile.

[Stefan-A]

Could be, but I was thinking that all that was needed was range and morph distinctions to make them qualify as a separate subspecies.

Not anymore. Since we started learning about using DNA in the mid-90's, the old method of classification has started to become obsolete. DNA reveals the whole evolutionary history of the animal. Usually it turns out that classification done on the basis of the appearance of an organism actually has hit the mark, but sometimes it reveals that similarities are just the result of other factors.

In short, appearance and distribution can work as moderately accurate predictors, but to really find out what's going on, you'll have to go down to the level of genetics.

[ConcinusMan]

True. I for one welcome the change.