Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know, I know, there's nothing terribly exotic about L.g.nigra.

A few days ago, someone elsewhere on kingsnake.com expressed a strong disbelief when I told them that I have kingsnakes on my property. So when I found this fine fat specimen in my barn this evening, I thought of posting the pics here. Fortunately, he/she (she?) was very cooperative about posing for the camera -- and yes, as soon as I was through taking photos I sent her on about her mouse-catching chores.

Oh, and this is a young relative of the above snake, which I rescued from my dogs last summer --

-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Very HEALTHY looking.......
-----
John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...
www.coastalbendcaptivebreeding.com

>>Very HEALTHY looking.......

Well, something injured her at some point in her life. I didn't even notice it until I looked at the pics, but you can see that big white scar on her side. But in my barn she certainly doesn't have to move far in order to find her next meal -- and it shows!
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Hey, that's like all the best parts of a pet king without having to clean up poop. awesome!
-----
We wouldn't have 6 and a half billion people if you had to be beautiful to get laid.
6.6 African House snakes
3.2 reticulated pythons
.1 corn snake
4.2 Florida Kings
1.2 speckled kings
1.2 ball pythons
0.0.1 Argentine boa

>>Hey, that's like all the best parts of a pet king without having to clean up poop. awesome!

Or thaw out mice! LOL!

I was surprised at just how calm it was. Quite cooperative. I guess that's just another great thing about kings!
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

You noted how calm that big girl was, and I think its a matter of size with WC kings. Me and a herper buddy have noticed a dramatic difference is attitude between WC specks under three feet, and over three feet in length. For some reason, the really big ones are pretty darn calm right off the ground. I think at that size they may have had the opportunity to live in habitat where they were not preyed upon heavily and are therefore a bit less skittish. Just some random thoughts. Regardless, those are the nicest pics of nigras I have seen in a while. Thanks for sharing them!!

The may not be very exotic but I don't see them often at all, cool find!
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I can't resist the challenge.

In this area, it would have to be P. m. melanoleucus -- northern pine.

Setting aside piddling things like color patterns and keeled vs. smooth scales, we have amongst other characteristics:

7 supralabial scales -- possible for either kings or pines, but more usual for kings. 3rd and 4th supralabial entering eye -- also more usual for kings, but also possible for pines.

2 prefrontal scales -- P.melanoleucus usually have 4, kings 2.

Prefrontal scale does not project far between internasals -- usually does for P. melanoleucus.

mid-body scales -- roughly 20 -- L. getula has 21, pines 27 or more.

I think it's probably a king.

-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Great detailed shot! I didn't think anyone would really take me serious though, lol. I was just poking fun. That large one did remind me of a black pine though. You should consider keeping a nice pair and breeding them. I'm not sure if there is much demand for them but someone collecting different Kings would surely be interested in them especially with a locality one.
-----
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
J Sierra

I know you were kidding -- I simply couldn't resist, especially since I challenged that other poster about the milk snake ID.

It's illegal in this state to collect any native snake. I just enjoy em and send them on their way!
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Hi Amazon Doc,
Very nice nigra that you photographed.
What state/county were they found in? Curious to know why someone would doubt that you have kings on your property if, in fact their range is in that locale.
Brad Bauserman

>>Hi Amazon Doc,
>>Very nice nigra that you photographed.
>>What state/county were they found in? Curious to know why someone would doubt that you have kings on your property if, in fact their range is in that locale.
>>Brad Bauserman

I'm more-or-less smack in the center of L.g.nigra range. Wilson County, TN.
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Yeah Bro, thats a Black pine and not a king man.The smaller pic at the bottom of your post from last year is a king.
Both very cool animals.
L8r Shannon brown

>>Yeah Bro, thats a Black pine and not a king man.The smaller pic at the bottom of your post from last year is a king.
>>Both very cool animals.
>>L8r Shannon brown

See my post above.
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

I just did.LMAO..... bad timing.
L8r

You're kidding,right???Who in the world could mistake that animal for a black pine?The scales are clearly smooth in your photo and blk. pines hardly ever have barred labial scales unless from an integrade zone.Definately a classic L.G.Nigra.Nice to have them in your backyard!Thanks for sharing. Alan

>>You're kidding,right???

Yes, the original poster (a-whatever-fish) was joking. I just couldn't resist taking the challenge of doing the scale counts.
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters

Yeah, its a lampro.Looking at your first post it screams pine with its huge shark like head and huge rostral scale but with the close-ups no counting was even needed.very cool and LARGE king there.
L8r Shannon

>>Yeah, its a lampro.Looking at your first post it screams pine with its huge shark like head and huge rostral scale but with the close-ups no counting was even needed.very cool and LARGE king there.

Yup.

I did the scale counts only because I recently challenged someone else here on kingsnake to ID a milk through meristics. Turn about is fair play!
-----
----

0.1 Peruvian rainbow boa (Amaru)
2.0 Brazilian rainbow boas (Arco, Olho)
1.3.1 Honduran milksnakes (Chicchan, Chanir, Hari, TBA)
1.0 Thayeri kingsnake (Coatl)
0.0.1 Mexican black kingsnake (Mora)
2.7 corns (Cetto, Tolosa, Uce, TBA)
1,000,000.1,000,000 other critters