Pituophis deppei jani

NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs

NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE (Cope, 1860)

By Patrick Houston Briggs

Because of its range, the Northern Mexican Pine Snake probably should be called the North-Eastern Mexican Pine Snake. (See the range map at the bottom of this web page) Pituophis deppei jani was named scientifically for Giorgio D. Jan, Director of the Museum of Natural History of the University of Parma from 1859-1895. Originally its range was reported from northern Hidalgo to southeastern Coahuila, south-central Nuevo Leon and western Tamaulipas, Mexico; now its range extends further and intergrades with the nominate, confusing the racial boundries. Wild populations are found at elevations from 4,500 ft up to 7000 ft with terrains ranging from Pine forest through to highly elevated desert.

There are less than 40 dorsal markings, including the tail, which are interspaced generally by 5 or more scales in length. The posterior markings are saddle-shaped and tend to fuse at the sides. Some of these animals are quite beautiful and may be cream or a deep yellow ground color with red, rust, and blackish markings. Others are golden or an orange with tan, light brown, and cream like tones. The head may be slightly or unmarked.

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Pete Marshall

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE carried by Pat Briggs

Image taken by Pete Marshall

Scutelation

                                                             Mid-body Scales        29-31                         Supralabials                8-9

                                                             Ventrals                     225-235                    Infralabials                  10-13

                                                             Caudals                      52-66                        Preoculars                   1

                                                             Anal                            Single                       Postoculars                 2-4 

                                                             Prefrontals                 2

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE neonate

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy John Ginter

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE neonate upper head study

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 0.1 adult

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 1.0 adult upper head study

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 1.0 subadult

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 0.1 neonate

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 1.0 adult left side head study

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 1.0 adult midbody skin study

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE subadult

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Lloyd Lemke

Pituophis deppei jani NORTHERN MEXICAN PINE SNAKE 1.0 adult

Image taken by Patrick Houston Briggs, Courtesy Tom Moisi