Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have a nice project going working with hypo and locality prairie kings. Mitch Mulks and I are working on this project together since he has an awesome hypo female and I have a hypo male. So far this year there are only a small number of eggs produced by this pairing and none have yet to hatch. Several slugs in the group which was a disappointment but if some of them hatch, we'll be ecstatic.

The hypos are just incredible in my opinion. Here are a few shots for you.

First up is a female Wilson county Kansas animal, which is a nice prairie in my opinion

Next up is my hypo male.

Here is a shot of the male hypo with the Wilson county female to show you the difference

Here is Mitch's female. She is stunning if you ask me. I love her contrast. Where my male has a yellow tint to it, this female does not which gives her a fantastic look.

And here are the two hypos together so you can see the difference between them.

I hope you enjoyed!

Dave

DNS Reptiles

Wow that is a cool project. I admit Prairie Kings haven't really done anything for me before but those Kings are stunning and I've changed my mind lol.

I too never felt like I had to have them until I saw the hypos and then had that WOW moment and have enjoyed locality and hypo prairies ever since!

Dave

Those are all AWESOME, Dave!

That is a very nice locality normal as well. I'm sure you guy's have a nice waiting list going for those, and the supply certainly won't meet the demand for a good while.

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

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks Doug!Not sure why you don't see more of them. They're an easy snake to keep and breed and most people seem to like them!

Dave

Those are very nice Dave. Certainly not many of them around.
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Disclaimer: I do keep several snakes in pairs, and some in groups. However I realize that things can go wrong, and I have to keep a close eye on those groups, to be sure they are not being adversely affected by these living conditions. Also if one happens to eat it's cagemate, it is 100% my fault, and I know the risks in advance!

What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

Those are so unique!! Amazing!
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Genesis 1:1

This a typical prairie kingsnake from central Kentucky.

This hypo was found in a friends yard in the general vicinity of the one above.

I have always enjoyed prairie kingsnakes myself. Looks as if you have a great project going.

Phil

WOW!!, Phil.....approximately when was that hypo found?

The first one I ever saw was one on Mark Bell's table back in 2007 for $700.

That is so cool that animal was actually found in the wild.

BTW, do you, or ANYONE HERE know the origin of the very FIRST hypo L.c.calligaster known to the hobby?. I'm sure something produced the one or two hypos I saw back in 2007.

..........thanks!

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

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks Doug. My friend found the snake this spring (May) on his property in rural Kentucky. After seeing a photo that he had taken I asked what he planned on doing with the snake. I was told that his intention was to release it at the same place he had discovered it. I then asked if I could have the snake and he kindly gave it to me. It is a female snake, most likely a 2010 hatch I'm guessing. Happily it readily acclimated to captivity and is thriving. This is the first hypo calligaster that I am familiar with.

Phil

That is very cool Phil!
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Disclaimer: I do keep several snakes in pairs, and some in groups. However I realize that things can go wrong, and I have to keep a close eye on those groups, to be sure they are not being adversely affected by these living conditions. Also if one happens to eat it's cagemate, it is 100% my fault, and I know the risks in advance!

What's wrong with using CAUTION?!?!?!
King Snakes! Who can make a better mouse trap?
~ Jorge Sierra www.SierraSnakes.com

Much appreciated!

Phil

Thanks, Phil!, what an awesome locality animal to own. That was really nice of your buddy to let you have her. Glad to hear she is acclimating well for you...

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

serpentinespecialties.webs.com

Thanks Doug. Me too, it really is a crap shoot when dealing with a wild caught snake. I've had some successes but I have also had some that would not adapt despite my best efforts. I believe this girl is going to be fine.

Phil

"BTW, do you, or ANYONE HERE know the origin of the very FIRST hypo L.c.calligaster known to the hobby?"

I have been trying to find that answer out myself.....Let me know if you ever dig anything about them up.
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Really nice Phil, the best of both worlds there!The fact of having locale info and hypomelanism is just awesome! Keep us updated on the progress of that project... Thanks for sharing!
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Thanks! I will certainly keep everyone posted on my progress with this project. Should be fun!

Phil

Hey Phil

Cool you are working with them and even cooler that you have a locality hypo!!

Dave

Thanks Dave. I really like the locality aspect of it. Should be some interesting results. I have found and photographed calligaster from across their range in KY and just by luck, this animal is from my favorite population. For eastern calligaster they have a nice look. Not nearly as high constrast as those from the west, but they are generally handsome animals. Another interesting aspect is the eastern calligaster tend to be the largest for this species in general, so if this project works out there should be some jumbo sized hypo prairie kings out there in a few years.

Phil

Now THAT'S a very cool project!

Tim

Nice Dave! I really enjoy those calligaster. Good luck with that project. Unfortunately my male hypo didn't do squat with any females this year....But am all set up for next year.LOL I do have a nice clutch from two partially striped prairies, though.

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Here's my Orange county TX female. Not the best of pics but to me she has a very reduced pattern to her.


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Thats a neat looking snake! I like how the dorsal blotches are so widely spaced.

Phil

Thanks Phil, I like that too. Wish I had a partner for her though.....Will continue to look for one.
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Better luck next year to both of us, Jimmy! Mitch and I certainly were hoping for more than just a couple of good eggs but that's how things go.

You've got some nice prairies too. Thanks for sharing.

Dave