Speckled Kings are really abundant in certain areas of Texas but harder to find in others.

They are downright abundant on the coastal prairie from the LA border west, but as you get much south of Victoria they start to show splendida intergrade patterns and aren't as attractive.
Further north and west I think they are spottily distributed. They are everywhere, but aren't common like they are on the coast.

They are very active right now. I frequently see them on quiet dirt roads through coastal marshland. In fact, they are quite common right up the edge of saltwater marshes and bays. They are under trash when it is cool but by this time of year they are becoming more nocturnal. I remember a few years ago in a coastal Wildlife Refuge I saw 5 adult male holbrooki in about 10 minutes crossing the road right after a cooling May afternoon shower. I hadn't seen one before that time all day, but when it rained, out they came (splendida will come out after rains in the day out in the West Texas grasslands as well).

I found this (unattractive) intergrade crossing a dirt road in Port Aransas last weekend at sunset while we were walking. Frankly these intergrades do nothing for me, although she did draw some blood!







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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

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