As of years back(forget what year off the top of my head) they where thought to be, and classified taxonomically as a subspecies of cornsnake(Elaphe guttata rosacea) these were distinct looking animals from the upper to lower keys, with somewhat different "looks" coming from different island keys.
They are noted for their more subtle subdued black coloration, and generally paler coloration. Many of them have a faded, or undiscernable "chevron"(arrowhead) on the top of the head.
Another distinct difference can be a lack, or lesser amount of side blotching, as well as a great reduction in "checkerboarding" on the belly. Some locales can even have a "silvery" gray mixed into the color scheme.
Good examples of these are very interesting looking, and definitely distinct from "mainland" cornsnakes. There are breeders today that still try to keep these lines as "pure" as possible, even from Key to Key.
Taxonomically however, they have in recent years been re-thought again to be a variant of cornsnake from their southernmost range.
I used to have some KILLER examples years ago, but have no photo of them...GRRR!
I don't see as many being sold as I did in past years, but I have seen some nice lines for sale once in a while.
~ best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"
