Missex

As it is unlikely that Janssens missexed the type I must assume that the specimens were mislabelled. Although I am unwilling to exchange the labels, I accept the studied by me to be the holotype, and accordingly have attached a suitable [indicator].

The low-dose group consisted of 34 males and 36 females instead of 35 animals of each sex , because of missexing during the initiation of the study.

The three specimens from Bangka on which the name minor was based, supposedly two males and a female, had wing-lengths of 66, 67 and 68 mm; one may suspect missexing.

In the subspecies intermedia and baliensis a similar sexual difference may be assumed, but cannot be established because of insufficient material . In species lacking sexual dimorphism in plumage, some missexing is also to be expected.

Missexing is a very common reason for the failure of two snakes to mate. Double-check the sex of both snakes prior to breeding season. If you are not sure, have them sexed by an experienced herpetoculturist or veterinarian.