[adamanteus]

Originally Posted by KITKAT

OK... I am trying to count the scales on the bigger of my two T.ordinoidespickeringii

In the photo and the drawing of scale counting, there are the ventral plates, and then there are the keeled scales of the dorsal side of the snake...

And you don't count the ventral plates.

However, on my snake there is a row of scales between the ventral plates and the keeled scales of the dorsal side. The scales in this row are something like hexagonal in shape, although they are somewhat irregular. They are also much larger than the other scales on the back.

Do I count them, or not?

I have tried to change the drawing to reflect what I am asking about:



And here is the photo of my snake:



Note that in this count, I have included the hexagonal scales that are larger (2x - 3x) than the rest of the scales in the count. (Row 1, in photo above)

Yes, count all scale rows excluing the ventral plates. It's important to take the count at mid-body, or slightly forward of that, as dorsal scale rows frequently diminish toward the cloaca.

James.