March, 8, 2025, Rachel McBurrells (23), a young herpetologist from Phoenix, Arizona is walking through the Sonoran Deserts for her expedition to find and document new species of snakes. Their focus is to find the rare new species called the White Banded Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus hardingsi) .She travels with Harry Monroe (30), a well-known herpetologist from Tucson, Arizona. Then, both stumbled on the New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus obscura), a former subspecies of Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake or Willard's Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi), coiling on the desert ground.
"Look at this one, New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake, formerly Crotalus willardi obscura, as subspecies of Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake or Willard's Rattlesnake, now this year classified to a separate species, Crotalus obsura." Harry said.
"Then, there might be whether or not, there's its own possible subspecies." Rachel said.
"We would need a sample, a sample." says Harry.
"Indeed, we do need samples." says Rachel.
"All we need is tissue samples and scale samples of every individual specimen of New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus obscura), so that we could tell whether it has number of subspecies or no subspecies." Harry said.
We should catch multiple individuals then." Rachel says.
"The other colleagues of mine from Tucson Reptile Center, already captured few specimens of the New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake, and they already got tissue and scale samples before they released it back to the wild. We only need is to document and taking photographs of this new species of Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake." Harry said.
"Then let's start documenting and taking pictures." Rachel said.
Both took out their cameras and began taking pictures of the New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake.
The New Mexico Ridge-nosed Rattlesnake continued to coil, then the tip of the very long tail shaking.
"Alright let's leave this one alone, while we're waiting for the results of DNA from tissue and scale samples back in Tucson Reptile Center, let's keep searching for new snake species." Harry said.
"Indeed, we should keep searching for new snake species." Rachel said.
Both packed up then they left and continue searching for new snake species.
As they continued walking through the Sonoran Desert, they looked everywhere for new snake species.
Then, they spotted another new rattlesnake species, Hopi Rattlesnake (Crotalus nuntius) formerly Crotalus viridis nuntius, a subspecies of Great Plains Rattlesnake or Prairie Rattlesnake, coiling on the rock.
"Look over there!" Rachel said.
Both spotted the Hopi Rattlesnake and Rachel started to get ready to take some pictures of the new snake species.
"My colleagues from Tucson Reptile Center confirmed that this subspecies of Great Plains Rattlesnake or Prairie Rattlesnake has classified into a separate species and named it Crotalus nuntius." Harry said.
"How wonderful, then I'll get the pictures while I can." Rachel said as she began to take pictures of the Hopi Rattlesnake.
The Hopi Rattlesnake just continue coiling on the surface of the rock.
Rachel kept taking her pictures, while Harry got his notebook and recorded everything.
Rachel took a few more pictures of the Hopi Rattlesnake, and she then put her camera down to rest it for a while.
"Alright, let's leave this snake alone and let's keep searching for more new species." Harry said.
"Yes, let's keep searching." Rachel said back.
YOU ARE READING
The World of Snakes
RandomRachel McBurrells (23), is a young American herpetologist who is traveling around the world to study all different kinds of snakes including new species.
