Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Great seeing all the posts lately regarding speckled kings. I have been acquiring a collection of speckled kings for about five years now and really enjoy working with holbrooki. The variability of the speckled kings equals/rivals that of the Eastern kings.
I noted the discussions regarding hatchling speckled kings supposed reputation for being difficult to get to feed as well as speckled kings being overly aggressive/defensive. In my experiences, these characteristics can be shared by any of the getula complex. The holbrooki are no different and, as with most colubrids are highly variable with regard to defensive behavior and feeding preferences. For instance, several years ago I hatched out two clutches of speckled kings; both locality specific to LaFourche Parish, Louisiana. The hatchlings from one clutch took pinkies from the start. The hatchlings from the other clutch were very reluctant to feed on newborn mice and had to be started by scenting the pinks with lizards.
I've also hatched out Lincoln Cty, Kansas locality speckleds for several years and this locality has never refused newborn mice.
I have the following locales of speckled kings: Texas/ Brazoria, Brazos, Fayette, Harris and Galveston counties. Kansas/ Johnson and Lincoln counties. Louisiana/ Richland and LaFourche Parishes.
I'm very encouraged by the fact that others are interested in the locality "normal" phase speckled kings. Their bad reputation (in my opinion) is certainly undeserved and they are great kings to work with. From the bright yellows of Texas to the white/yellows of Louisiana to the black/white in the Mississippi Delta, the speckled kings are beautiful in all of their natural color phases.
I am always interested in corresponding with others with an interest in locality specific speckled kings. Drop me a line if you are interested in chatting more about speckled kings or locality kings in general.
Brad Bauserman

Way to hold them specks up, Brad! you are right of course, they are no more or no less high strung as any other close king. have you seen any of the "checkerboard specks"?
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Todd Hughes

Todd,
Not familiar with the "checker-board" specks. Are they locale specific? And if so, what State and county are they from.
Are you working with any locale specific speckled kings aside from the Neuces cty intergrades?
Brad

I have Calhoun county, Texas locales. I think the checkerboards are from Kansas, if I remember correctly. I'll get a pic of the big girl, she was purchased many years ago as het for lavender, but I didn't breed her because there was doubt as to whether she was true or not. I saw a specimen on the net a few years ago that looked exactly like her on another forum.
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Todd Hughes

Brad, here's some pics of the big girl, I dunno, something in the face screams maybe Cali in it, but I have seen young ones before on the other forum that looked exactly like her.

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Todd Hughes

and a few Calhoun counties...

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Todd Hughes

Todd,
How many Calhoun Cty speckleds do you keep? Will you be breeding the Calhoun's this year?
Do the Calhoun's have a bit of spendida influence. I tried to find Calhoun cty in my atlas but could not locate. Is Calhoun close to San Antonio?
For some reason, the pics of the Calhoun's came up on my computer but the checker-board speckled kings photo(s) did not. Not sure why.
Brad

I have 1.2 calhoun county specks and yes they will be bred this year, and I do not believe these have any splendida in them, but there are good splendida, good holbrooki, and intergrades in Calhoun county. Calhoun county is basically the area around Port LaVaca between Refugio, Victoria, and Jackson counties along the coast, The Guadelupe flows through it into the Gulf of Mexico.
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Todd Hughes

dammit, where'd the pics go?
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Todd Hughes

Try this again...

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Todd Hughes

Interesting looking king. I have never seen any locale speckled kings that resemble that one. I would have to agree with your comment that it may be a cross with another subspecies of getula.
Brad

Todd, that's an awesome Speck!

reako45

HEEHEEEHEEEE!
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Todd Hughes

Awesome information, Brad. It's very encouraging, as these are one of my fave members of the getula complex, and snakes I'd like to breed in the future.

reako45

Reako,
Very encouraging indeed. Maybe people are finally realizing the beauty and variability of the speckled kings.
Do you keep any locality kings? Are you located in an area that they are found?
Brad