Colorado Spotted Ratsnake

This is a favorite western Ratsnake of mine that is an uncommonly offered form of Great Plains Ratsnake which are found in an isolated population bordering Colorado and Utah. My specimens originate from Delta Co. Colorado. Like many animals from an isolated area, they are different from other guttata, in fact Klaus-Deter Schulz descibes them as being very different from other guttata and suggests that the intermontana nominclature should be retained. Adults are not as big as other emoryi that are found nearby, clutch size is smaller however hatchlings are robust and are great feeders on mice from the start. Adults develop these interesting greenish blotches that are really not noticeable in the above photo.
Habitat photo taken from one of the valleys carved by the Colorado River where this species is found.