Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was recently invited to go herping in central Kansas with a friend, Andrew Hare. As many of you know he sent me a very unique female from Russell county last year(the one with thick, wide crossbands and wonderful yellow). Well, thankfully we flipped a small male within a couple miles of that female from last year. He's probably an '05 hatch, and looks fantastic. Here are a few photos of him in the field.

And now here he is after a fresh shed and his first f/t pinky...

I thought I would throw in my first milks ever. I was really pleased to see these. It was quite a trip. In three days we had seen right at 200 snakes, representing 15 species.

Thanks for the field pics Matt. The yellow on that holbrooki is awesome and the milks are nice too!

Greg

That Speck is extremely nice. Must have been a fun trip, I am jealous! Tom Stevens
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TomsSnakes.com

I live in kansas and when I go out herping I never find anything other than Prairies and Rat Snakes! where are those milks at???? Yesterday I found a cute little black rat

Dawn

From what I have heard the peak milk season is about over. They are easiest to find between March and May. I consider us lucky to have found three of them.

Are you referring to Prairie Kingsnakes? That was one species high on my list that we did not encounter. So consider yourself blessed!

I have always heard where you find prairies you dont find Milksnakes Where I tend to go I come across prairie Kings quite often but never a milk. they seem to inhabit different types of areas. Matter of fact I actually kept a sub adult we found last month which I dont normally do but this guy was a beauty...

What area of Kansas are you herping? I'd love to see pics of that Prairie king.

miami county area is where we go herping mostly. but heck a walk outdoors anywhere turns into a herping expedition this time of year!

http://www.reptilegenetics.org/images/PrairieKIng_4-22-06.jpg

That link should take you to a pic of the WC prairie. Its hard to get a good picture of them indoors based on coloring but it gives you a general idea.

We drove through Miami on the way to Franklin and Anderson Counties. That is a fine looking snake. I'm afraid I would have had to keep it as well...lol.

Man, all those baby integrades in KS are amazing. Too bad they have to grow up and lose the colors.
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...and I think to myself, "What a wonderful world."

Thanks shaky, but I do have a quick question. What makes you think they will lose the color? The female I have from the same locale has exploded with colors and increased in pattern over the last year. Are you from that area? Is that what most of them do?

Great pics. The Milks are a syspila and a central plains, right?

reako45

Reako, the intergrades are found from the Flint Hills eastward. These were found in central Kansas, and according to the literature they are gentilis, or central plains milks. We spent a couple days searching for the intergrades and pure syspila in east Kansas, but had no luck. Maybe next time.

Great looking specks and I really like that 2nd milk! Thanks for posting those Matt!
Todd Hughes