Posted by:
Terry Cox
at Thu Jul 31 17:03:59 2003 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Terry Cox ]
Rich,
Thanks for the comments. I think getulus might be one of those species that is so widespread that it is difficult to determine where ssps. begin and end, and also, might even look tempting to some to split into more than one species. What I have been looking at for a couple years now, is that there is nigritus influence all through the Santa Cruz Valley, as you said, or that it is nigritus itself with some splendida influence.
I have a speciman right now that came from G.V. that is very dark, head mostly black, ventrum mostly black with light bands crossing all the way across, and light bands on back only one scale wide with some black flecking even in the light scales. It's a beauty. I'm trying to find a female to match with it because I like this intergrade so much, or whatever we'll call it.
I was happily surprised by your comments about the Mexican specimans you're familiar with. I have been wondering seriously myself if there really was a "nigritus" form which was pure black, or, in other words, a melanistic getulus from the S.W. I believe slendida tends towards melanism in the S.W., but doubt I will ever find a truly melanistic speciman. What I hope to breed I don't want to be entirely black, however. I really like the nearly all black morph with a slight pattern and some yellowish highlights.
Very cool snakes. Smile.
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Just looking, clicking, curious, studying, laughing, having fun, meeting cool folks, sharing. Live your dream, relax, smile, don't worry so much, love life. See ya there...TC.
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RE: Mexican Black Kingsnake is.... - Terry Cox, Thu Jul 31 17:03:59 2003