Surrey Smooth snakes

hi Steve not that easy but the denim jean material seems to almost match except the pink one

I think you're right Robert.

When I was less knackered, I checked the scalation as well as the markings.

For the first pair, look at the last light-coloured scale in the middle of the dorsum, right up against the dark 'butterfly' head marking. Count the dorsal scales between this light scale and the dark Parietal scales. A different count between the two animals. Probably closely related animals though.

In the second pair, the markings are less closely matched, and again look at the foremost dorsal scale. Set centrally across the join between the Parietals (right), but offset on the left pic. Again a subtly different scale count too.

It's normally much easier to tell two animals apart. Only rarely do you get such close matches. See below for more 'normal' pairings.

It just goes to show that you have to photograph the snake
in the exactly the same way each time. which I expect will
be hard to do.

I would say that both sets are a match - but there are
slight differences in the older animal

J

hi Steve nice pic was it a Hankley one keith

Vicar I think your inbox is full as I've PM'd you and it won't send.