I know very little about herpetols (not being a herpetologist) but am wondering if the viper's wide head shape is a function of the need for the pits to have sufficient separation to allow them "binocular vision" (so to speak)?

he's a prof of biology and has been a herpetologist for decades

sent him an Email. he's slow....

In Clarence Thomas' book, My Grandfather's Child, he relates a story his grandfather told him about snakes in the South.

While the rattlesnake at least warned you before he attacked, the water moccasin struck with stealth. He used is as a metaphor to explain how in DC, you learned to respect those who disagreed with you to your face, rather than those (e.g. Slow Joe Biden) who promised to your face to treat you fairly, and behind your back struck time and again to undermine you.

This guy slithered into our office on the back bay in Newport around 8 years ago. He's a gray banded California King Snake. Very docile, and has been a neat pet for my growing boy.

When we first found Caesar (first time we fed him)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1222792758.jpg

Today
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1222792830.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1222792853.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1222792868.jpg

Should I feel guilty that my buddies and I used to hunt rattlers up in the foothills (with 12 gauges)?