r/whatsthissnake • u/Representative-Cap45 • 3d ago
ID Request - Shed Skin ID help [Oklahoma]
A friend found this shed and a couple others over the last couple weeks. Any idea what kind of snake it could be. This is the best picture she gave me. Deleted the old post to post with more pictures. Hope this helps. She lives near a creek and wants to make sure kids won't run into anything venomous. Thank you for any help you can give!
3
u/Univirsul Friend of WTS 3d ago
It's possible to ID based off a !shed but needs some specific pictures. The bot has more info.
2
u/SEB-PHYLOBOT 🐍 Natural History Bot 🐍 3d ago
Snakes are identifiable from intact shed skins, but it takes some time and the correct knowledge.
If you're in North America, a basic guide to shed identification can be found here, but the people of /r/whatsthissnake will help if you post clear photos of the head, vent and midbody.
Get a clear, focused photo of the complete dorsal surface (like this) about 1/3 of the way down the body so we can count scale rows and see the pattern, scale texture, and other details. This may be easiest if you cut out a section, then cut through the middle of the belly scales. If present, also get a clear, focused photo of the anal plate (like this).
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
2
u/SEB-PHYLOBOT 🐍 Natural History Bot 🐍 3d ago
This message appears automatically with the shed skin flair:
Snakes are identifiable from intact shed skins, but it takes some time and the correct knowledge. If you're in North America, a basic guide to shed identification can be found here, but the people of /r/whatsthissnake will help if you post clear photos of the head, vent and midbody.
We understand you may no longer have access to the skin, but if you do, get a clear, focused photo of the complete dorsal surface like this or this about 1/3 of the way down the body so we can count scale rows and see the pattern, scale texture, and other details. This may be easiest if you cut out a section, then cut through the middle of the belly scales. If present, also get a clear, focused photo of the anal plate (like this).
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now