difference between western and mexican?

please help me out.. are they two different species?
do their sizes differ, prices, colors,..
thjanks

Mexican hoggies are a different species.

They are probably most closely related to western hoggies compared to the other snakes in the genus Heterodon.

Price is probably in the $150 region perhaps? I wouldn't expect to spend less than $100 each, they aren't very common in captivity.

Color is a bit different than westerns, and have a stronger 'desert-y' camoflage to them. The pattern of spots across the back is different too. There are some minor structural differences in scale count (I think) and the nose comes to a stronger point.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by davidyun

please help me out.. are they two different species?
do their sizes differ, prices, colors,..
thjanks

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There is a difference in scalation.

- 93% of kennerlyi have 2 or less loreal scales.

- 97% of kennerlyi have 6 or less azygous scales.

As for patterning - I've seen mexican hognoses that are identical to westerns in terms of coloration and blotching but have the correct typical facial scalation.

Some people claim the kennerlyi is a subspecies of the western, others claim it's a separate species.