I went out to Phoenix last weekend to work and hang out at the Phoenix AM skateboard contest. Did some fun herping while out there and found a few things.
On the way home, there was a TON of traffic coming up and since it was just sunset, I decided to cruise a couple passes on a very popular road that we're all familiar with. I'm probably the only person who had never found a snake on that road, but I really had only cruised it 4 times prior to this and always just 1-2 passes while on my way somewhere else.
On the first pass I saw a snake in front of my car, some juvenile crote. I've seen plenty of posts in the past about "Is this a Ruber...is this an Atrox...is this a...." from this road and after seeing this snake I see why. I figured it was just a really crazy looking Ruber that hadn't got it's color yet (and I just labeled it as such on Flickr). But it also looked like a speck, and really you could say it looks like a lot of other things. There was a guy who pulled over behind me to check it out and he was convinced it was a Mojave...ha.
Anyways, I figured I would post some pics for you all to enjoy. Whatever it is, it's a really cool looking snake. I shot pics of it and helped it off into the bushes and away from any more cars on the road.
Red-diamond Rattlesnake (crotalus ruber) by jrothdog, on Flickr
Red-diamond Rattlesnake (crotalus ruber) by jrothdog, on Flickr
Red-diamond Rattlesnake (crotalus ruber) by jrothdog, on Flickr
Red-diamond Rattlesnake (crotalus ruber) by jrothdog, on Flickr
There's a bit of cell phone video I shot as well that I haven't uploaded yet but will try to get to soon.
I'll put up a post from the AZ stuff I found after I make my other work trip out there in 2 more weeks. Nothing earth shattering found out there, but it's always a treat.
Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
Moderator: Scott Waters
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
one gets posted bout every other year, as a hybrid... desert phase ruber...
Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
Like I said Jim, even if it's "just a ruber" it was a cool looking one nonetheless.hellihooks wrote:one gets posted bout every other year, as a hybrid... desert phase ruber...
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
Yeah I know how you feel, I usually don’t bother stopping for crotes either (aka dung or as most call it excrement). Dude, there are more than 4 dungs in that area, so it will be hard narrowing that down, but the rattler is interesting.
- SurfinHerp
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
Crotalus mitchrubscuttrox
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
All kidding aside, and my compliments on superb identification photos. My first intuition is mitchellii. Then after second guessing I thought, hmmmm could this be an April fools panamintina. Now after a true examination of rostral scales, pits, and other features, my I.D. stands with mitchellii. Its how the pits are set on the face, and locale. Ruber's have obvious nostrils AND pits.
Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
The truth is you'll never know for sure unless you get blood or scale clippings. Best guess is speck X ruber hybrid, second best would be aberrant ruber but it's not looking pure to me. Panamint wouldn't be an option due to tail banding and lack of supra ocular crease.
- dave_zeldin
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
I cant get over how pretty this snake is. Such a great find. Like I told you earlier, I just really hope this snake doesn't end up in some poachers hands.
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Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
I didn't mean to sound dismissive... i'd love to actually see such a unique crote. Bill Hayes at Loma Linda actually has some genetically verified hybrids... but short of testing, it's really hard to say.Rothdigga wrote:Like I said Jim, even if it's "just a ruber" it was a cool looking one nonetheless.hellihooks wrote:one gets posted bout every other year, as a hybrid... desert phase ruber...
Re: Ruber/Speck hybrid...I'll let you guys decide
ruberXhelleri