10th of January in 2025, Bryan Goldman (25), a herpetologist from Phoenix, Arizona is exploring the Tonopah Desert which located in the west of Phoenix, Arizona.in search for a new species of rattlesnake called the Ghost Rattlesnake (Crotalus exspiravit). He will be joined by her colleague Kristina Bridgings (24), they continued searching for the Ghost Rattlesnake in Tonopah Desert, then they stumbled on a new species of gopher snake called Tonopah Gopher Snake (Pituophis tonopahensis), slithered on the desert ground. It is a non-venomous
"Check this out, a new species of gopher snake." Kristina Bridgings said.
"Don't worry, it's non-venomous." Bryan Goldman said. "We have to examine this snake, this is a new species of snake, the first one discovered in Tonopah Desert."
Bryan holding the snake very carefully.
"This is a fallow (pale brown) snake with red, black and white blotches. Its belly is pale brown." Bryan Goldman said.
"This is typically different from the other species of gopher snakes." Kristina Bridgings said.
"Yes, you are correct Kristina. But no recognized subspecies has been found since this new species is found here in Tonopah Desert." Bryan Goldman said. "It is a terrestrial species. feeding mostly on rodents."
"And also, this is both diurnal and nocturnal." Kristina Bridgings said.
"Yes, it is both active during the day and night." Bryan Goldman said.
Later, they measured the size of the snake.
"3 feet 6 inches long." Bryan Goldman said.
"This is a good size specimen." Kristina Bridgings said.
"Yes, this is a male, females grow up to 4 feet long." Bryan Goldman said.
Later, they document and taking several photographs of the Tonopah Gopher Snake (Pituophis tonopahensis) and they finally released the snake back to wild as the snake slithered away to the thick bush and disappeared.
"Our first snake of the day." Kristina Bridgings said.
"We still got a long way to go before we find the elusive Ghost Rattlesnake." Bryan Goldman said.
"Alright, let's move to the other certain place. Maybe we could find the Ghost Rattlesnake." Kristine Bridgings said.
"Sounds like a great idea." Bryan Goldman said.
Later, Bryan and Kristina arrived in Coronado National Forest in southeastern Arizona by vehicle. They parked their vehicle and grabbed their respective backpacks as they started exploring the Coronado National Forest.
"Let's try to find the Ghost Rattlesnake (Crotalus exspiravit)." Bryan Goldman said.
"Right, Bryan." Kristina Bridgings said.
Now Bryan and Kristina continued searching for the Ghost Rattlesnake (Crotalus exspiravit). Then, they spotted a new species of non-venomous snake called the Common Hunting Snake (Ophilobus arizoniensis), slithering out of the thick bush. It has no recognized subspecies.
"We got snake over there." Kristina Bridgings said.
"It's non-venomous." Bryan Goldman said. "It's called the Common Hunting Snake (Ophilobus arizoniensis)."
Bryan holds the snake very gently with his barehands in order to examined it.
"The colors and markings of the snake are stunning." Kristine Bridgings said. "It is a white snake with bright red colored head and black broad bands, its belly is plain white."
"This new species is found in Coronado Forest in southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico." Bryan Goldman said. "It is a diurnal species, feeding on rodents, lizards, amphibians and other snakes, both venomous and non-venomous."
"This is an interesting species." Kristine Bridgings said.
Later, they measured the snake's size.
"3 feet 8 inches long." Bryan Goldman said.
"That is a good size specimen." Kristina Bridgings said.
"This is definitely an adult male, female grows up to 4 feet long." Bryan Goldman said.
"Well, it seems this male is out to basking in the sun." Kristina Bridgings said.
Later, they document and taking several photographs of the Common Hunting Snake (Ophilobus arizoniensis), then they gently released the snake back to the wild as they watched as the snake slithered into the thick bush and disappeared.
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The Journey to the World of Snakes
RandomThere are a dozen species of snakes all around the world, but there are new species are waiting to be discovered as the group of herpetologists are traveling around the world in order to discovered new species of snakes.
