Reptile & Amphibian Forums

(Since they are found in AZ also, not just Mexico, I think that a better name for them is the Sonoran Black, or Western Black. Each of those names is more applicable, based on home region, rather than on political boundaries. Anyway...)

They are known to be quite aggressive in the wild, yet very docile in captivity. And almost always, very aggressive eaters. How do yours behave, compared to other kingsnakes? Any unique traits?

I'm most familiar with Cal Kings, and trying to understand how Sonoran Blacks differ as a subspecies. Please share your stories about specific behavior: activity levels & times, feeding & interaction with humans.

I think MBKs are the best pets of all the common kings. I've kept Cal kings, desert kings, Florida kings and Eastern kings. I have found that MBKs are by far the least "bitey," though like most kings they are quite excitable at feeding time.

Tim

Third Eye

I find the Black Mexican's to be extremely rude, and always seem to stick their tongue's out at me!...LOL!

~Doug

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

That picture is awesome, how many did you take before you got it?

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~Maggie~

"Not one shred of evidence supports the notion that life is serious."
1.1 Cal Kings
1.0 Brooksi
0.1 Red Belly Piranha
1.0 Australian Shepherd

Thanks,........I took about eight that time I think. there where several that had his tongue extended nicely, but this one was extended straight out, so I used it for my stupid post!..LOL!

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

Compared to Cal Kings - they are IMHO a much better behaved snake.
They don't squirt musk as much, they seem calmer from the start, etc.

My male though is a very aggressive breeder.
I got a nasty bite from him just because I had handled an ovulating female before changing his water dish - and yes, he was coming on to me - body jerking the whole nine yards.

When I bred him - he really chomped down on the poor girl, drawing blood from her head. She was struggling - I finally convinced him to let go, and he grabbed her neck after that.

Not saying they all are aggressive breeders, but he sure is, much moreso than my cal king males.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

there is more than enough going on with names and what should be called what and what sounds better - just look at corn snakes.....

I've owned many Mexican Black Kings over the years and the one single trait they all shared, is that they all eat like champs!

Most of my were considerably more aggressive than my Cal kings and would very readily bite in defense.
Now that being said, I have a pair now that are super cool and dont even musk and have never even threatened to bite! Wait a minute... I better go and make sure those are MBK's and not corns...

byron.d

My younger ones hide a lot and are aggressive feeders but retreat quickly to the hide otherwise. My big male is puppy dog tame and is out always except for shedding/digesting. He also basks in the light from the window every day. way less flighty than calkings and I have never been musked by any of them. Perfect pet snake.
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Todd Hughes

Yeah - MBK is well established.
Stebbins I believe refers to them as western black, I've seen the name sonoran black as well. But Mexican Black is the well established trade name, and even though their range does extend into the US - the majority of it is in fact in Mexico.

If they are in fact nothing more than a melanistic phase of Desert King - it may be a moot point anyway.
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I decided my old sig was too big.

As a matter of fact, I was going to post something virtually identical to that!..LOL!

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