Reptile & Amphibian Forums

What would be the most sought after eastern locale? I would really like to know what you all think the creme-de'-la-creme in easterns is?

Its a combination of looks and locality with looks being the main thing. I like those thin banded NJ Easterns best but the GA's arent very far behind and some of those NC locales and ... well there are too many lol

Keith
-----

I know that they all have their own beauty but is there one locale that is harder to get or one that nobody is producing? Possibly a certain range extension?

..quickly any babies produced from PA parents.
Don't you??
:Mark

Mark,

Since there weren't any eastern lines in captivity (not any that we've heard of) any w.c. founding stock would now be illegal to sell or trade even the offspring, at least in PA, but there is a clause that covers exporting. All in all not to be recomended. Taking pictures is still legal and it would be cool to document the species continued existance in PA.

I'm not sure of the exact year but I think the last eastern was spotted back in the 1920's. Keith Hillson will probably know (he is a walking encyclopedia of L.g.g). Anyhow, it would be good to set up a field trip to Chester Co, PA (Coastal Plain). If we could gather a group I'd apply for a permit (which you need to have a group pursue herps).

Bob Bull

Yeah, I know, Bob. I should've said "someone" instead of "I" in the sentence as well. Don't want anyone to think "I" would sell anything illegally!
Still, I think the question was aimed at finding out what locality(ies) would be most sought after, and I think PA would have to qualify.
Currently, it is a protected species in PA, right? Like you said they may be extinct there (extirpated)since no one has seen one in decades.
:Mark

Im not so sure there ever was Eastern Kings in PA. Its all anecdotal sightings and thats about as reliable as the weather. I could be wrong but as easily as snakes are misindentified today with all the information resources and Field Guides etc... I imagine back then when knowledge was even less widespread it was far easier to misindentify an animal.

As far as what would be the most sought after King It to me is more or les up to looks. If a locality doesnt look nice nobody is gonna want it plain and simple. Ive never ever desrired a Locale reagrdless of looks just because of where it was from . I get more emails from guys simply looking for nice thin banded black and white Kings and they never mention locality. I do get some locality seekers as well but their numbers are fewer.

Keith
-----

Keith,
On your web site I think I've seen animals identified as being from Baltimore, Harford, and Cecil counties. Heck, the female I got from you is identified as Harford x Howard Co. I believe they are still present in PA. The Coastal Plain extends into Lancaster, Chester, and Philadelphia counties. If there are eastern kings they would be found in that area. These counties are directly north of Cecil County, MD. I was serious about trying to mount/organize a field herping trip to try and extend the known range of this animal.

Bob Bull

I know I've seen them somewhere on the web, I'll return when I find the source.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr,
Bob Bull

locality is cool and all but not a standard to judge good easterns, as pattern variations change so much through their extensive range, but the nicest in my opinion are from the e.coast from s.c. up thru n.j. those in my opinion are true l.g.g.,but there are also some very nice ones along intergrade zones like in fla.,ga.,ala.,tenn, they all are great, locality breeding can be cool but it can be bad as well, i personally wont have locality breeder easterns until '07, and even then im sure i will be going for traits(unbroken chains,cleancrisp patterns,size,etc)rather than actual locales, to me locality on l.g.g. is kinda like asking locality data on honduran milks? whats the pointanyhooin noway am i downing locality breeding on l.g.g or any n.a colubrid for that matter, but really these are bred for beauty,size,etc, now and sure theres beauty in certain locales but imho the real beauty will happen when mixing the locales and breeding the desireable traits true like has been done w/calikings,etc,etc, easterns are the true kings of n.a. so my advise would be just jump on in and dont worry/bother with locales just get'um allthomas