Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Todd county Ky. Black kingsnake. This little female is losing more and more of her pattern with each shed. Steve

Steve,

Nice. That one looks a lot like the one that I found in Carter County (KY) last month. I dig the even speckles on that king in your previous post.

Tim

Steve and Tim, I am amazed at how very similar nigra appears to holbrooki. They almost appear to be "melanistic" versions of the speckled kings. Makes me wonder how much subspeciation is actually going on with the nigra/holbrooki and possibly spendida animals in the south central region of the country around the river delta areas, etc.

Nice snakes and great finds!!

Interesting observation Kevin. Kind of like what Mexican black kings are to splendida, maybe blacks kings are to holbrooki. Steve

Thanks Tim. I went several years ago to Ky. doing a little snake hunting with some of the Ky. guys. Really a pleasure to see a nigra in the field. Steve