Reptile & Amphibian Forums

For those of you that like this sort of thing, here's a black kingsnake I photographed in Jefferson county KY this past weekend.

There have been many additions to the website recently and many more will be made in the coming months.

Quality locality photographs of L.g.nigra are always welcome.

Thanks for looking.

Phil

Official Black Kingsnake Website

Great pic, and great website also. I've visited it several times. Lots of good info on a snake that seems to be overlooked as far as popularity among hobbyists is concerned. I live on the west coast and have mananged to see just about every type of king from around the country offered here in the pet trade, but have never seen any nigras. Keep up the good work.

reako45

Good deal! I am more of a field herper myself, just get a rush everytime I'm out there. All I get around my area is fox snakes though. Thanks for the pic. Sam

Thanks Sam,

To me, getting out into the field is the best part of the hobby. Fox snakes don't sound to bad to me though. I have spent very little time in their range, but I recall seeing a beautiful DOR a few years back in Newton county Indiana. I would have been thrilled to see that snake while it was still alive. It was a girthy four footer with a reddish colored head.

Phil

Here is a near 5' fox in the first picture. The second one was a gravid female, pretty fiesty. Tired of being tagged so I held her like a hot one.

If I'm not mistaken, aren't they primarily a Tenesee snake?
I believe their propagation for sale is illegal in that state, and much of the nigras in other states show integrade influence.

I'm skeptical that my info is correct, but I think that's the issue- that there just are not a lot of "clean" legally obtained specimens where they can be propagated for sale.

I'd like to hear from someone who knows more.

I believe I have seen them offered in the classifieds. Can't be positive though.
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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

>>If I'm not mistaken, aren't they primarily a Tennessee snake?
>>I believe their propagation for sale is illegal in that state, and much of the nigras in other states show integrate influence.

Being a resident of Tennessee, perhaps I can clarify the State's position a bit. This is a summary of my understanding of the regulations - it does not constitute legal advice.

The TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) designates wildlife into several classes. If my memory is correct, all reptiles except venomous snakes, venomous lizards, and crocodilians (Class I animals - along with lions, tigers, etc.,) are Class II. Class II animals are legal to keep captive and propagate under permit. Upon request, TWRA will provide a copy of the applicable regulations, and required permits.

TN does not allow capture from the wild of any native species of herp (Class II), whether for propagation or not. Excluded are certain turtles and frogs, for which a valid fishing/hunting license is needed. They do not distinguish to the subspecies level - thus all Lampropeltis, Elaphe, Pitophus, etc. are prohibited from capture.

It is legal for a private individual to import any native snake species from out of state. An importation permit is required, and the fee is $25.00. The permit is a one-time deal.

It is also legal for a private individual to propagate any native snake species, provided it is properly imported as above. Again, a permit is required. The fee recently went up to $250.00 per year, and must be renewed each year. One permit covers all animals.

Unofficially, I have learned that TWRA generally does not address individuals that keep snakes unless they receive a complaint. Personally, I have imported under permit, or purchased from a petshop, all of my snakes. I formerly bred Creamsicles, under permit, and sold offspring. I no longer "maintain a breeding facility" so I don't need a propagation permit.

In theory, if one wanted to, one could legally import and propagate Black Kingsnakes in Tennessee. However the expense, and potential legal hassles could be prohibitive. Much simpler to move to Kentucky!

Regards,

John D.

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

Kentucky and Tennessee is the heart of the black kingsnakes range and they are found in the greater part of both of these states. Throughout the bulk of nigra's range it does not intergrade due to isolation from other populations of kingsnakes. Intergrades exist but these zones are not particularly large comparitively speaking. There is a map on the website illustrating some of this.

I think a lot of the nigra that filtered into the hobby in years past originated from Alabama and were often intergrades.

I think you are right that there are relatively few non-intergrade nigra in the hobby. My interest in the black kingsnake is non-commercial but I do keep and breed a few KY locale animals that are the so called classical nigra.

Phil

This is an adult female of Jefferson county KY stock. I really like the ones that are glossy black with little or no pattern. Black kingsnakes of this type generally come from upland forest habitat.

Phil

That's a stunning snake.
Thanks for sharing!
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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

Thanks reako,

I guess the black kingsnake is the kingsnake I grew up with here in KY and I have always had a deep appreciation for them. It has always seemed to us that they were under represented in both the hobby and the literature so we decided to put forth an effort to piece together a resource devoted exclusively to this subspecies. We plan to add additional photo's and information as time goes on.

Phil

Very nice Phil. I'll have to check out the site right now!
:Mark
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Surrender Dorothy!

www.crimsonking.funtigo.com

Thanks Mark,

Hope you enjoy!

Phil

Thats a nice looking Nigra Phil. What was the Nigra count this year so far ?

Keith
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Thanks Keith,

We have seen 130 live specimens of nigra in the field to date this year in KY. I would have to go back and review the number of DOR's.

Phil

Hey Phil, I have many localty black king pics if you wanna check some out sometime, some monsters from Dekalb Co. Alabama, and a few in Jackson and Madison. Zach

Zach,

Would very much like to have a look. Any photo's you have can be sent direct to me or to Scott.

Thanks, Phil