Reptile & Amphibian Forums

20 years ago I saw a pair of L.G.Conjuncta that looked just like L.G.Nitida but banded instead of striped - I recently saw some that looked more like B&W Yumensis - Any ideas as to what they should look like?

If anyone has pics please post them

The names conjuncta, nitida, and yumensis have long been considered invalid. They are now just considered phases of the california kingsnake. As far as I know, what is considered a conjuncta phase is a melanistic banded form from the southern baja.

From what I was reading, there are normal non melanistic conjuncta and nitida as well. I believe there is a difference in head pattern from "typical" cal kings. I believe the melanistic conjuncta are from the southern part of the conjuncta range, and not throughout.
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3.0 WC; 0.3 CB L. getula californiae
1.0 CB L. getula nigrita
0.1.1 WC; 0.0.3 CH Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata

isn't it funny that out here on the west coast from washington to southern baja to az,nm,nv,utah they are all just cal kings.out on the east coast every 50 miles is another sub?funny stuff,out here its just another phase.
Shannon

Hey Shannon, nice to hear from ya'! Met ya' in 05 at the picnic area on hwy 277. You have some killer snakes!
Todd Hughes

Hi Todd,I remember you had a monster subocs with you you had just collected.
Did you collect any nice annulata this year?
L8r Shannon

haven't seen one since April but she was a nice healthy girl! One more trip to Black Gap for a few odds n ends, hopefully the late season gbk. And the suboc is serpwidged at 68.4". He is a great snake!
Todd Hughes

So do they look like banded Nitida or B&W Yumensis - All I can find on the net that are being called Conjuncta are the thin banded B&W Yumensis looking type

They look like more like banded nitida, but they probably vary in melanism, getting darker as you travel further south in their range.