Elaphe g. guttata - Cornsnake or Red Ratsnake ? ...

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Posted by Paul @ Animals for Education on April 18, 2001 at 05:29:18:

In Reply to: Red rat snakes? posted by Chris P. on April 18, 2001 at 02:21:00:

Hi Chris,

The standardization of the common (vernacular) names used to identify organisms is a bit flimsy.
Invariably, scientific names are more identifiable to people of any language and denote the organism's taxonomic relationship with other organisms.

Okay, with that said - The term 'Red Ratsnake' is supposed to apply to an Elaphe g. guttata that is naturally present in the wild or has been captured from the wild. The name 'Cornsnake' is given to an Elaphe g. guttata that has been captive-bred. That's been my understanding of this issue for some time.

I suppose I could take this a step further and ask if we should spell the common name: 'Cornsnake' or 'Corn Snake' etc., but it's probably not of dire consequence! (A Rose is a Rose, by any other name - is still a Rose. LOL)

Hope that helps,

Gatorboy

Animals for Education

Follow Ups:

Re: Elaphe g. guttata - Cornsnake or Red Ratsnake ? ... Paul Hollander 04/18/01 (1)
- Yeah, Paul - that's good info and your point is valid... Animals for Education 04/19/01 (0)

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: Hi Chris, : The standardization of the common (vernacular) names used to identify organisms is a bit flimsy. : Invariably, scientific names are more identifiable to people of any language and denote the organism's taxonomic relationship with other organisms. : Okay, with that said - The term 'Red Ratsnake' is supposed to apply to an Elaphe g. guttata that is naturally present in the wild or has been captured from the wild. The name 'Cornsnake' is given to an Elaphe g. guttata that has been captive-bred. That's been my understanding of this issue for some time. : I suppose I could take this a step further and ask if we should spell the common name: 'Cornsnake' or 'Corn Snake' etc., but it's probably not of dire consequence! (A Rose is a Rose, by any other name - is still a Rose. LOL) : Hope that helps, : Gatorboy

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