Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Very little red on this baby. Found this week.

Kerby...

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Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

Better shot.

Very little red.

Kerby...

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Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

I like that a lot. Is anyone working with Black and white pyros like that?
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"Yeah ya told me, and ya wrote it down too. But how the hell am I supposed to remember!"

I've heard of a few people finding similar looking Pyros, Frank Retes mentioned one that a friend of his found years ago, but I don't think anybody has captive produced them. I'm suprised that
nobody has. There is a similar phase of Zonata from southern Yosemite Valley. I know Ric Blair is working with them. There is also the Todos Santos Isl. Zonata that are all black and white.
Nice find Kerby. Breed the hell out of that thing. LOL!! Oh yeah and put me on the list for a pair, even if it doesn't prove to be genetic.
-Phil
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I'll Google your YouTube
If you Yahoo! Myspace!

I have found some fairly decent high black and whites near Yosemite but I never heard of a B&W pyro.

Of course I have never been collecting in Todos Santos. But if I am not mistaken I think Paul Lynum found some there in recent years.

Either way it is a good project for someone.

BTW are the Todos Santos animals being reproduced by anyone? I've been kinda out of the loop mith zonata.
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"Yeah ya told me, and ya wrote it down too. But how the hell am I supposed to remember!"

I've heard rumors that someone in the U.S. has some, but I haven't seen any. For some reason the Zonata crowd are a very closed mouth bunch. Ric Blair is a perfect example. I know he has a lot more than what he makes public.
-Phil
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I'll Google your YouTube
If you Yahoo! Myspace!

Yeah, I seem to recall some years ago, there was some one that had some imports(a pair) along with CITES documentation, but like evryone else, hadn't seen or heard anything since then!

I wish I could remember the deal on those.......might even have been an article in a "REPTILES" magazine years ago.

Seems like something further would have surfaced by now, but I also think "herrerae" is being kept VERY low profile for a number of reasons.....Also, it's very possible that they never got the pair to breed.

In any case, those are some WICKED-COOL animal!!

~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Herrarae apparently have come into the US legally one time. They were bred and F1's offered for sale in the 90's. I have never heard of any second generation breedings but it is very likely that anyone who has these has a waiting list of about 10 years and no need to advertise. Anyone who might happen to see some for sale PLEASE be responsible and make sure they come from the original legal bloodlines. Todos Santos is a VERY SMALL island and this species warrants every bit of protection it gets.
I know I am preaching but this species is not like other Mexican species that have stupid laws protecting huge populations in vast habitats. Herrarae are very susceptible to over collection.

n/p
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks and I didn't mean to direct it at you, it was just a general statement for anybody.

I couldn't agree more. One strong storm could permanently
alter their population.
-Phil
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I'll Google your YouTube
If you Yahoo! Myspace!

Nice Kerby,
I like that better than the applegate specials. just personal preference I'm sure but I like it!
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http://www.hcu-tx.org

Hey Kerby,

Can you tell me the approximate elevation you found this cool guy?

What about the temperture or general weather conditions?

Also, where was he when you located it? (under a rock, crawling around?)

Thanks,
RG

Shown is my first and only Mt. King capture...it was approximately 7500 ft., mid day, 70oF, May 2005 while backpacking in Yosemite valley...oh yeah, and it was in the middle of a snack!

That is VERY cool!!........Did the snake regurge?, or did you just pick him up gently, just long enough for the quick pic then gently set back down?.......that's nature at it's best!

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Here's a picture of me gently removing the snake from the crevasse. This had to be the guys first meal since winter...so no way was he (or she) letting that lizard go.
I was very gentle the whole time while getting the pictures, actually my girlfriend was taking most of the pictures. I was actually just walking over to the semi-water fall, for a nice scenic photo…and looked down and couldn’t believe what I was looking at. Once in a lifetime deal!

I’m glad it kept the lizard down, I would have felt terrible if it would have regurged.

-RG

Great stuff RG!!....that's good to know "little dude" was able to keep it down and continue on his/her merry way!LOL

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Temps around 80 degrees.

Elevation just below 5,000 ft.

And I wasn't the one that actually found him.

Out crawling.

Kerby...
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Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

My thought was the snake had higher amounts of black..due to natural selection, so it would be better at absorpting heat from the sun at the higher elevations (and cooler temps).

Thanks for the information!

-RG

It is common for the Prescott, AZ area pyros to have heavy black crossovers. Anywhere from 4,500 - 7,800 elevation (or whatever the elevation is in the northern Bradshaw Mountain peaks.

But I still have never seen one like the one I posted.

Kerby...
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Lonesome Valley Reptiles
www.lonesomevalleyreptiles.com
Specializing In California Kingsnakes

You escaped from the milksnake forum.........LOL. Must have been a big WOW factor hicking out there and finding the mountain king. Beautiful Snake.

I'm Jealous!

Heck.....I never get out of Florida.

Scott

PS......let me know about the hondos. Hope that clutch works out.

Hey Scott,
Yeah, imagine me on another forum...I used to be a kingsnake guy years before I turned into a Honduran NUT!

This Ca King was my best capture of all time...I've always wanted to catch an Az king...but in the years of visiting my Dad in Az...we've never came across one. Plently of other nice stuff out west to catch...see below!

The Hondo eggs just started to dent in yesterday...I should have some head poking out any day! Can't wait!!!

I'll be in touch very soon.

-RG

RG:

7500 ft elevation is high for zonata in the central Sierra, and so yours is a nice record. Would it be possible to get (via PM) locality data from you? Thanks.

Bob Hansen
rwh13 csufresno.edu

Correct email address is rwh13@csufresno.edu

Thanks!

BH

-RG

Very cool, Kerby. Unique looking pyro. I like the lack of red. Beautiful little guy.

reako45