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

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Posted by Paul Hollander on April 18, 2001 at 13:45:34:

In Reply to: Elaphe g. guttata - Cornsnake or Red Ratsnake ? ... posted by Paul @ Animals for Education on April 18, 2001 at 05:29:18:

: 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.

Right on.

: 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.

First time I ever heard that.

Raymond Ditmars' Reptiles of North America lists both red rat snake and corn snake as common names for E. g. guttata. Carl Kauffeld used corn snake when he was writing in the 1950s. This was before there was any captive breeding. Conant and Collins use corn snake in the field guide and make no distinction between wild caught and captive bred.

Paul Hollander

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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. : Right on. : : 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. : First time I ever heard that. : Raymond Ditmars' Reptiles of North America lists both red rat snake and corn snake as common names for <I>E. g. guttata.</I> Carl Kauffeld used corn snake when he was writing in the 1950s. This was before there was any captive breeding. Conant and Collins use corn snake in the field guide and make no distinction between wild caught and captive bred. : Paul Hollander

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