"Cape York" spotteds are a locality species from the Cape York peninsula in Northern Australia and yes, I do believe they exist and can be found if one tries hard enough. The Barkers of VPI fame used to breed these locality morphs and the colors were "different" from what I would call "regular" spotteds. The background color was lighter but I do not remember reading anything about being larger or more (or less) spotted than other maculosas. I found some info at AustralianAddictions website and some nice representative pictures. They say they are from the Barker animals. I've attached a pic of their male here. Just as in all snake species, locality morphs can have slight (and sometimes radical) color and pattern differences. The snake posted is different looking from my spotteds.



That being said, I have seen hundreds of "Cape Yorks" sold at higher prices than "regular" spotteds and they look exactly the same. They were likely sold a "Cape York" pair and, as such, feel they can sell the babies for more money. Personally, unless I was buying from a trusted source with an impeccable reputation I would hesitate buying a "Cape York" at any higher price than the usual cost for a maculosa. Unless, of course, there was something unique or unusual about it. Proving they're "Cape Yorks" now would be difficult due to the ban on exporting reptiles from Australia. Plus, not all spotteds living in the Cape York area look alike. Some look just like "normals". This is just like Okeetee cornsnakes. You can find animals that are "representative" Okeetees in the area with bold colors and borders and find others that are muddied, drab animals. Yet they can both be considered Okeetee corns.



If someone wants to sell me a "Cape York" spotted python and not jack up the price unless there is something unique about it, I'll buy them. But I'll likely sell them as "spotteds" for the beautiful animals they are













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Ken Roshak

BlackSwampSerpents@toast.net

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