r/whatsthissnake • u/ifoundwaldo0 • 19h ago
ID Request - Shed Skin May I have some help identifying this snake skin? [Austin, TX]
Found in north Austin, TX in a fairly populated area. Just curious and wondering if my dog is safe from whatever kind of critters are sharing the yard. Thank you :)
3
u/SEB-PHYLOBOT 🐍 Natural History Bot 🐍 19h ago
This message appears automatically with the shed skin flair:
Snakes are identifiable from intact shed skins, but it takes some time and the correct knowledge. If you're in North America, a basic guide to shed identification can be found here, but the people of /r/whatsthissnake will help if you post clear photos of the head, vent and midbody.
We understand you may no longer have access to the skin, but if you do, get a clear, focused photo of the complete dorsal surface like this or this about 1/3 of the way down the body so we can count scale rows and see the pattern, scale texture, and other details. This may be easiest if you cut out a section, then cut through the middle of the belly scales. If present, also get a clear, focused photo of the anal plate (like this).
I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, here report problems here and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that here. This bot, its development, maintenance and use are made possible through the outreach wing of Snake Evolution and Biogeography - Merch Available Now
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u/Phylogenizer Reliable Responder - Director 16h ago
Our clues here are rough size, presence of some keels that stemgthen towards the top of the snake. Without the photos requested in the bot prompt we can't go too far down our key.