Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i live in central alabama and encounter snakes on my property almost on a daily basis when im working outdoors. i have seen 16 species here over the past 30 years.

almost all the kingsnakes i see around here have faint crossbands. i have found one where the bands were almost absent. what subspecies inhabits my property? do i have intergrades of getula x niger?

ooops, that should read 'getulus' x niger

Ironically, you were correct the first time with "getula"..LOL! It was changed back in 1988, but most people are still very aware that they were previously L.g. getulus, and are still sometimes referred to as getulus, especially when looking at older literature.

Yeah, your photo certainly does have a getula x nigra looking phenotype. Also, just to the south from the center portion of the state there is a three-way convergence zone of the Eastern, Black, and Speckled kingsnake. Your immediate area seems to display more of the nigra x getula, and nigra, and as you go north more, of course, it becomes much more solid nigra range.

Awesome shot!, thanks for sharing that with us..

~Doug
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"a snake in the grass is a GOOD thing"

hello doug

thanks for answering. i posted a pic in my other reponse of the all black king i found here just a couple of weeks ago. she was pretty large.

very cool!
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www.Bluerosy.com

>>almost all the kingsnakes i see around here have faint crossbands. i have found one where the bands were almost absent. what subspecies inhabits my property? do i have intergrades of getula x niger?
>>

It is a Lampropeltis getula nigra.....
The terms Getulus and Niger are no longer used.....

Where in Alabama?

Many believe that the faint crossbars come from neighboring L. getula getula to the east and the speckling comes from neighboring L. getula holbrooki from the west.....Then there are more solid black ones in the heart of their range..........
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

hello john

im located in anniston AL on interstate 20.

i see numerous king snakes here and almost all the adults have had crossbands albeit quite narrow. just a couple of weeks ago i found a large female that had no crossbands whatsoever. the herps of alabama (mount) puts my location in the niger range with holbrooki influence just to the south. the L. getula getula (with the bands) is supposed to be about 100 miles south.

it seems here in alabama....when it comes to herps, everything intergrades here. LOL

here is the pic of the big black king i found here recently. what does this one look like?

>>hello john
>>
>>im located in anniston AL on interstate 20.
>>
>>i see numerous king snakes here and almost all the adults have had crossbands albeit quite narrow. just a couple of weeks ago i found a large female that had no crossbands whatsoever. the herps of alabama (mount) puts my location in the niger range with holbrooki influence just to the south. the L. getula getula (with the bands) is supposed to be about 100 miles south.
>>
>>it seems here in alabama....when it comes to herps, everything intergrades here. LOL
>>
>>here is the pic of the big black king i found here recently. what does this one look like?

Very cool......
I am one to believe nigra are the result of eons of evolution.......heck every living thing is for that reason.... Lol

But Alabama certainly is similar to Arizona in thy both states have overlapping getula ranges.......
>>
>>
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

But Alabama certainly is similar to Arizona in thy both states have overlapping getula ranges.......

yeah but in Alabama things overlap a tad to much.

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www.Bluerosy.com

do you intentionally post unrelated and derogatory subject matter or are you just too simple-minded to have the forethought that you might have possible offended someone?

I only meant to offend the simple minded.
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www.Bluerosy.com

Don't pay any attetion, stupid is as stupid does.
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Gerard
www.livebaitclip.com
"I fight knowledge with ignorance"HAHAhaha..............

...it's all in fun....

(unless you know them?..sorry)...

I actually Love that pic and have seen it many times in here....it's all fun...KY ,Perry Co PA, TX, West Virginia...anywhere you think of it .....we are all inbred.....

.....Adam and Eve....what are we actually...F 2,467,096 generation ....?......

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.....Nice snakes....I would think nigra without looking up ranges........I find ...pretty much nothing in PA so...good luck and have fun....!

...
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........JY

Lol! So true Jeff!! Hey, has anyone heard that old country song,"I'm my own grandpa"? It's a real song!! Lol!
Jeff

Looks gravid to me ! That area where you are is an area where you could possibly see all 3 ssp. in one snake (as in the first pic). Talladega N.F. and the Cheehaw Mt. area are known to represent animals that look more like your first one posted. Found one two weeks ago probably 110-120 miles slightly north and west of you (Bankhead area)and it had faint crossbars and speckling on it.

Great pic! Did you take it? I love the setting and the way the snake is positioned. Thanks for posting it! As for what it is? Looks like an intergrade like the others said.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

hello jorge. yes, i took the pic. i put him on the stick to hold him in one hand and held the camera with the other.

here is my favorite pic...

That's a good looking King too.
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King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
Jorge Sierra

My Site > www.Sierrasnakes.com

I live about 10 miles north of Montgomery, AL. Most kings I find here are the typical speckled with faint crossbars. I included a photo of a typical one from Autauga co. and another male from Wilcox,co. south of Camden, AL. He has bigger speckles but even fainter crossbars. I've been told by several long time Montgomery residents that they have found eastern kings in and around Montgomery but I've never seen any. I know someone who has seen an eastern king in Macon co. just east of I85.