An Anolis sagrei male from my study area in southwestern Taiwan.
Working with the brown anole (Anolis sagrei) is an eye-opener to the ability of some species to disperse far beyond the barriers that limit their natural dispersal potential. Anolis sagrei from Florida managed to reach Taiwan, most likely along with some nursery or agricultural products. They have also managed to reach Singapore, also I suspect along with some nursery products.
Can you identify this snake for us please?
Recently, an instance of a non-anole long-distance traveler came to my attention, and I would like to ask if anyone can help us identify the species involved. A friend told me about a snake that he obtained from someone, who got it from a person who imported wood from South America. Apparently, as the importer was about to start processing the wood he received, the snake slithered out of it. To me, the snake looks like a neotropical whipsnake (Masticophis mentovarius). However, it traveled by ship, meaning it could have gotten onboard at any port where the ship might have stopped. Thanks.
- They Simply Don’t Get It: Misguided Conservation Policies in Taiwan Continue to Promote Anole Slaughter - October 22, 2016
- A Tale about Two Tails: No Effect of Having a Regrown Tail on Body Condition - August 29, 2016
- A Few Interesting Findings from a Recent Parasitology Study, anda Plea to Other Researchers - January 12, 2015
Andrew Durso
I wish I knew. Is this the same snake that someone posted on the Facebook ‘Snake Identification’ group? It looks to be. I’m amazed how much harder it is to ID something without locality information. I think we put forth guesses of the psammophines Malpolon or Psammophis or the colubrines Coluber, Masticophis, Drymoluber, or Mastigodryas, with one person weighing in that it strongly resembled the Neotropical Whipsnake Coluber mentovarius. It would be really helpful to have some scale count information – number of ventrals, number of subcaudals, and number of dorsal scale rows at midbody.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/22137638452/
Gerrut Norval
Ventral scale count: Total – 185; Dowling method – 183 ? (the neck region and head scales were badly damaged, so it was difficult to determine the exact starting point)
Neck region scale count (one head length down the neck) – not possible because the sales were damaged and some were missing.
Mid-body scale count – 17
Tail region scale count (one head length before the vent) – 13
Anal plate – divided
Subcaudals – paired (count was not possible because the tail was not complete).
Note: The tail base is obviously enlarged so it should be a male.
Peter Mudde
Looks like a juvenile Malpolon monspessulanus to me.. But being European, I am a bit byassed..
Peter Mudde
On a second look. It’s not Malpolon m. These have a much ‘messier’ head scalation. The divided anal shield made me decide too quick.
Gerrut Norval
Hi Andrew
Yes it is. And I have a shed skin with me, which I will do a few scale count on in the next few days. I will keep you updated. But for now, thank you for being interested and willing to help.
Have a great day.
Gerrut
Andrew Durso
Good idea. Shed skins are much easier to count than the actual snake.
Skip Lazell
Will this mystery ever be solved? Skip
James Stroud
Mastichophis for me…
Drew
Eastern Coachwhip