How to Count Body Scales
These are counted one head length behind the head, one head length in front of the anal scale and at midbody. Do not count the ventral scales.
To count ventrals you must locate the first one. If you look at the image above, which is a part of the head, you will see a row of scales that appears to start adjacent to the ventral scales - it does not go all the way forwards to the head. The scale that lies next to the first scale in this row is the first ventral.
You count backwards until the last scale before the anal plate.
The first subcaudal is that scale - or pair of scales - that meets the lateral scales. Count backwards to the scale - or pair - immediately before the conical tip. If the snake appears to have lost part of its tail put a plus sign before your count to indicate that there were more subcaudals.
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