What characteristic visual trait distinguishes the Adult Dark Morph Western Rat Snake from its juvenile counterpart?
Answer
Significant darkening where the original pattern fades, appearing almost entirely black
Maturation in the Western Rat Snake, particularly in individuals developing into the dark morphs prevalent in regions like Nebraska, involves a pronounced change in external appearance. While juveniles are blotched and lighter, the adults often undergo pattern loss as they age. This results in a significantly darkened appearance, where the snake becomes uniformly black or very dark gray. This progression means that observing a uniformly dark, large snake should not lead to misidentification, as the fading of juvenile patterning is a natural part of the maturation process for this specific morph.
Related Questions
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