On Sept 18th Will Bird and I found a large specimen of black kingsnake in Hopkins county KY. A field measurement taken on site showed the snake to be 60.13 inches. The previous maximum length recorded for this ssp's was in 1958 from New Albany Indiana (as per Dr Joseph Collins CNAH). Two additional measurements of this snake that evening using the interior wall of a house both came our to slightly over 60".
Will arranged to have the snake measured under lab conditions at the Louisville Zoo this morning. Before doing so three additional measurements were made by zoo staff on the snake. On one of these the snake was placed in a tube and laid on a table that measured 59". The snake exceeded the length of the table on both ends, and all measurements excedded 60" by a very slight amount.
It was then decided to gas the snake with isoflourine so that a measurement could be taken while the snake was asleep. Killing the snake was not an option we would accept. Anyhow, once gassed the snake was remeasured at 58.50". We wonder if the snake actually contracted somewhat while it was under. Nevertheless, we were happy to discover that the snake is indeed a new record and plan on publishing the results soon.
We have seen larger nigra in the field than this specimen but unfortunately those do not count due to lack of documentation on our part.
It has been a great year for kingsnakes for us here in KY with 125 live specimens recorded in the field thus far.
Anyhow, thought some of you guys might find this interesting.
Phil
btw, the snake in the photo is not the snake referred to in this post but was found earlier this year at the same site. Will update with pics once this snake sheds. It will be released back on site next weekend.
