Baja California Ratsnake
Bogertophis rosaliae
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- B. rosaliae – Mulege, Baja California – photo by Ryan Hoyer
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- B. rosaliae – Mulege, Baja California – photo by Ryan Hoyer
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- B. rosaliae – Mulege, Baja California – photo by Ryan Hoyer
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- B. roasaliae – Map by Tom Lott, SWCHR
DISTRIBUTION: In the United States, Bogertophis rosaliae is represented by a single vouchered DOR specimen (SDSNH 64416) collected approximately 2 miles east of Mountain Spring on Interstate Hwy. 8 in Imperial County, California just north of the Mexican Border on May 26, 1984. Even though more than a quarter of a century has passed, and despite many efforts by professional biologists and citizen science herpetologists, there have been no additional documented specimens from north of the Mexican border. Controversy continues to surround the one vouchered museum specimen.
LEGAL STATUS: Bogertophis rosaliae is listed as a Species of Special Concern by the State of California and as such it is illegal to collect in California.
MEANING OF SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bogertophis rosaliae (Mocquard – 1889)
Genus: Bogertophis, honors Charles M. Bogert + Latin – ophis = snake, serpent
Species: rosaliae, type locality Santa Rosalia, Baja California Sur, Mexico
Ref. Ellen Beltz 2006
Ref. E. Jeager 1962