What does motley mean in snakes?
The word motley refers to the coloration of a snake. Sometimes, it refers to a snake with patches of different colors, or one that looks as if it is covered in patches of different colors. Other times, it refers to a snake with spots or stripes that are small or irregularly placed.
What does motley mean in snake names?
The word “ motley refers to a garb that is made up of many different pieces of clothing. It was once used to describe the garb worn by a traveling minstrel or jester. The color and pattern of the pieces of cloth could represent the person wearing it. In the context of snake names, this meaning has been applied to describe the appearance of a species that is a cross between two different species.
What does motley mean in snake eggs?
The word “motley” is an old English term that refers to people with a miscellaneous appearance. It can describe clothes that are colorfully patched or an animal that is spotted or deformed. It’s sometimes used to describe a snake that is just not a very attractive one.
What does motley mean in snake calls?
Much like their coloring, snake calls are used for species identification. A snake who is part of a species with a similar coloration may be more likely to be seen by a potential mate, and thus be more likely to breed with that snake. So it’s natural for snake enthusiasts to be interested in how different coloration patterns can help us identify species, and the diversity of patterns in some species is truly remarkable.
What does motley mean in snake skin?
The word “motley” is often used to describe the coloration of snakes that have mixtures of colors, rather than a solid color. These snakes are sometimes called “variegated” or “banded” snakes, or referred to by their color.