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The second one fully out is just incredible.............and from what I can see almost all look like this...............more to come after they're all out. Sorry for any blur -- new camera issues.... Hope you like!

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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Haha...WELL......that was the strangest agalma, eh? Heheheh....

Okay, let's try that one again ......

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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

That neonate is AWESOME!....Great looking snake Jerry!
Was that first one you pictured by accident gravid or did you 'powerfeed' it....J/K....LOL

Great snakes and congrats on the clutches hatching....
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John Lassiter

"Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part....."

Okay John, you had me belly-laughing on that one. LMAO. Love the humor...don't ever change man.

Actually, that rare lil' bugger was fed several moderately-sized meals in anticipation of the expected zonata shut-down that happens usually around September/early October in many cases. God I hope that Sierra and her mate produce some baby black and whites.....that deal is my primary focus for 2010 so every finger is crossed on it.
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

>>Okay John, you had me belly-laughing on that one. LMAO. Love the humor...don't ever change man.
>>
>>Actually, that rare lil' bugger was fed several moderately-sized meals in anticipation of the expected zonata shut-down that happens usually around September/early October in many cases. God I hope that Sierra and her mate produce some baby black and whites.....that deal is my primary focus for 2010 so every finger is crossed on it.

Good luck with them Jerry...I've always appreciated your enthusiasm for Zonata....It compares to mine with Mexicana I believe....

How rare is a black and white Agalma? It looks stunning....
Is it a wild type or a line bred trait...Sorry if I'm not up on them as well as I think I should be....
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John Lassiter

"Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part....."

Hi JOhn,

actually, that black and white snake was not a zonata agalma, but rather a zonata multicincta....

It's a rare snake in that it is seldom seen in the wild, and when it is, it's only from one of a couple distinct locations in the Sierra-Nevadas. This variation in multicincta have been subject to on-going study at U. C. Santa Cruz with respect to phenotypic expression in connection with differential habitat and influence of potential predation. These also exist in extremely limited numbers in a couple private collections.

The genotype isnt exactly well understood either, and will be further played out in future captive-breeding endeavors between myself and another individual. What's really interesting is that any "color" that bleeds through, which is typically a dorsal splotch right where the body end and the tail begins, is not red but what appears to be a creamy lavender -- as if there was some form of anerythrism going on.

Anyway, glad you asked so that I could clarify. Thanks John.

You can see that "anery" color-splotch better in this photo.....

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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

You might see some "red flecks" in a couple photos -- I honestly do not know what that is or how they got there, but these snakes have absolutely NO red in them whatsoever. Anything that does bleed through, again, appears in the form of a lavender, anery-like expression.

Mike Russo asked me about it many months ago when he saw the photos, and when I displayed a live specimen for a zonata presentation I did for the Long Island Herp Society back in March, he was then convinced that there is NO RED at all in them and that whatever red showing in the photo is an issue with the photo, not the snake.

Take care!
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Mike Russo asked me about it many months ago when he saw the photos, and when I displayed a live specimen for a zonata presentation I did for the Long Island Herp Society back in March, he was then convinced that there is NO RED at all in them and that whatever red showing in the photo is an issue with the photo, not the snake.

It's true.. This pair of snakes are pure black and white.. There is not one dot of red on them anywhere.... It's very annoying ..

~ Mike Russo

LOL, you're too much. Thanks.....
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Jerry Kruse

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

When they hatch, are these the ones that have some pink that turns black with age?
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Rick Staub

just looks like reflection from the surrounding room to me. Cool looking critter.
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“Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” Emmerson

What's with the skinny Cal. king??..hahaha!!

AWESOME!

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

Very Strange indeed lol. Congrats on your clutch hatching!

Nice Jerry. Cool head markings.
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Randy Whittington

Your slipp'in Jerry!! I almost fell over when I srcolled down to see the "black and white agalma"!!! Ha ha. That baby agalma is slamming and not a crossover is sight!