Stiletto??

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Stiletto??

Postby Psychogav » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:32 pm

I found this little guy in my passage this evening. I think he is a stilleto, could be a purple glossed or a natal black though. What do you think??
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Serpy » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:48 pm

What length is it? Whats the colour of the ventral scales? The spike on the tail makes me think stiletto snake
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby 10gbooj » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:52 pm

Don't purple glossed snakes also have the spike? Like Serpy said, what is the length?
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Psychogav » Mon Jun 22, 2009 7:58 pm

It seems like a juvenile, only about 20cm long. You guys are fast !! I'm impressed.
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Serpy » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:08 pm

Whats the colour of the ventrals??
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby BushSnake » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:16 pm

Where is the specimen from? The colour of the ventrals would only be an indicator if they are white, because black won't differentiate between the species. Also, please check the anal shield to see if it is divided or undivided? You can do this by placing a glass plate on the container and taking a picture of the belly. Take the picture at angle so that the flash reflection doesn't bounce back into the lens. But it looks very much like a Stiletto to me, so for now I'd put my money on it being one (and in other words don't get bitten ;) )!
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Serpy » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:18 pm

Thats exactly why i asked for the colour. If they white we can stop right there. If they black we then need tomove onto the next step, anal shield
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby babyball » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:23 pm

I have found a natal black with a spike as well so cant count that out either. If we rule stilleto out then we will have to check the anal shield as Its the easiest way of telling between natal black and purple gloss:)
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Serpy » Mon Jun 22, 2009 8:46 pm

The spike is quite pronounced, but I'm still not sure. Really looks like a Purple glossed snake though
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Psychogav » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:10 pm

Finding it extremely difficult to photograph his butt!! He is definitely not white underneath. What must I look for?
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Psychogav » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:16 pm

It looks undivided, the Anal shield is a single scale. Does that help?
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby BushSnake » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:23 pm

Yes, then it is a Stiletto snake. If the anal shield was divided, it would have been a purple gloss snake. This is a photo of a stilettos anal shield, but I haven't been able to get the same shot of a purple gloss snake. In which area do you live?
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby babyball » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:26 pm

If he/she is not white underneath then it is not a stilleto, just double check with someone else in case i am mistaken. What you need to look for is whether the anal shield is one piece or two. I.e whether the scales around the area where tail meets body is whole or split. Dont quite know know how to explain it.
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Serpy » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:28 pm

Stilettos aren't always white underneath.

What about a natal black?
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Re: Stiletto??

Postby Psychogav » Mon Jun 22, 2009 9:33 pm

That picture looks exactly like his anal shield , I,m quite sure that it is a stilletto now. I can let the little fellow go now, He's had a hard time with all this photography. I am on the east coast near Darnall and Zinkwazi. I've found a couple of these when digging holes or working in the garden, but this is the first one to wander into my house.
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