Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi
Are the mexican black kings solid black as adults or some vary (speckled,etc)?
I have been reading great things about them here and interested in them.
I have never actually seen them other than pics wanted to know if as a whole solid black or vary .

Thank you

It depends on the specimen.
Most have a patch of white under the chin.

Some of us think MBK are just a dark phase of the Desert King.

Sometimes in the right light you can see pattern reflecting in the black, especially with babies.
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x.y L. getula californiae (Cal. King)
x.y L. getula nigrita (MBK)
x.y L. getula floridana (Brooksi)
x.y Pantherophis guttatus guttatus (Corn)
0.1 Pituophis catenifer catenifer (Pacific gopher)
0.1 Heterodon nasicus (W Hognose)
x.y.z Elgaria multicarinata multicarinata - (Cal. Alligator Lizard)

"It depends on the specimen.
Most have a patch of white under the chin.

Some of us think MBK are just a dark phase of the Desert King.

Sometimes in the right light you can see pattern reflecting in the black, especially with babies."

Gotcha thats what I thought but wanted to make sure thanks a lot as looking into them but ofcourse prefer the all black versions
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Luis,
MBK's are great snakes, especially if this is going to be your first!

They are very hearty and easy snakes to care for, and make very interesting captives.

Here's some good info on an article Tom Stevens wrote about them:

Mexican Black Kings

..and of course, a couple pics of my pair of '06's:

//Todd

I have other snakes just started looking into MBK thats one amazing looking snake you have. They remind me of mini Indigo snakes which is why was asking if they were truly all black.

thanks for link going to read it

No problem!

They are often referred to as the 'poor mans indigo'...

//Todd

I saw an Indigo not long ago and yes I can see why they look like a mini Indigo though the pics I have seen here they look much nicer than the dullish Wild Indigo I saw

They are often referred to as the 'poor mans indigo'...

//Todd

Then what are L.t. gaigeae and P.m. lodingi? =D

Granted, black pines have keeled scales, but both it and black milks are much closer in size to an indigo.