Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Some of us "regulars" on this forum would love to see more posts from lurkers and newbies. This particular forum can move quite fast and cover a lot of topics and the more input the better, please stick around and join us on a regular basis. Thanks Tom Stevens

I agree with you Tom. I think the more specimens we see from others the more we can tell the diversity of each kingsnake species.
Also, more information from others is always welcomed and needed to see the whole picture, instead of just THIS SMALL part of the herp world's input. Everyone should realize that their are thousands of other people paricipating in this hobby that do not post here or even read Kingsnake forum posts.
And yes all, stick around and join in.
John Lassiter

....My name is as implied...Matt Brock. I'm a student at Mississippi State University in Wildlife Sciences:Law Enforcement Option. I have lurked around on this board for a while, and I LOVE seeing some of the pics, but I seldom join in the discussions. My main interests are Morelia Pythons, of which I have all sorts. But, my all time love from the good 'ole South are Lampropeltis, especially L. g. holbrooki and L. t. syspila. I also have a pair of brooksi from Len Krysko. I'll try to come around here more often, but most of my time is spent at www.moreliapythons.com. Glad to be here!!

Thanks for writing Matt. I am mostly into colubrids but I do have some Pythons. Womas, Cape York Spotteds and a few Balls on the way. I have 5 Specks in my White Side group, all hets but for one female. They're a lot of fun to have, very underated snakes in the hobby. J.L. and myself along with a few others are hoping that the Specks and Desert Kings rise in popularity with some up and coming morphs for everyone to oggle over. The morphs are killer, but they also make people want to see normals and that is always cool too. Take it easy Tom Stevens

Thanks for posting Matt. I myself own no more boids, but do own and breed many Mexicana and Getula and few Elaphe.
Great photo of your Holbrooki. They along with Splendida will soon have many morphs to choose from and as Tom stated normal holbrooki are awesome as well.
Thanks for chyming in Matt.
John Lassiter

I don't keep very many kingsnakes, but that may change in the next few yrs. I'll be moving to se. AZ in 3.5 yrs, and have wanted to pursue mtn. kings for a long time. I also see quite a few desert kings when I vacation there. I haven't heard of any morphs for desert kings, however. Could someone explain that a little? Thanks...

TC
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Ratsnake Haven: Calico and hypo Chinese beauty snakes, Mandarin ratsnakes, Chinese twin-spotted ratsnakes, South Korean Dione's ratsnake, leopard snakes, Great Plains ratsnakes, and corn snakes

Terry,
I know of and have seen Amelanistic Desert kings, Hypomelanistic Desert kings and have not seen but heard of Anery/Axanthic desert kings. And everyone knows what will come of those three morphs..........
John Lassiter

That sounds pretty exciting. I hadn't heard of any of those before. This year I think I might pick up a pair of the blue-eyed blonde, Cal kings. Desert kings would definitely be more interesting with some morphs to go with. Do you have any of those, yet, John?

Terry

I am guessing if more people branch out into working with the less popular kings there's all the more chance of things yet unseen appearing. We also have to wonder how many breeders take the time and effort to breed sibs togther to attempt to find any hidden traits? It is not something I have done in the past but would like to try in the future. I actually have known about the Hypo Splendida for a few years and even the Albino for a year if not 2. Just goes to show you how the more popular snakes take a lot of our attention away from some of the other nice animals to work with. As of late I think a little more of us king lovers are noticing the Splendida, not only in morphs but locale specific and intergrades too. There's some real beauties out there and best of all is they're not very expensive. Tom Stevens

Tom, you make some real good points.

We are moving to se. AZ in a little over three yrs and know where we'll be living. I've already seen about a dozen common kings there in the Santa Cruz Valley. It's not a Cal king, but I'm interested in doing field work and developing a line of these intergrades from w/c and getting the nicest I can find. That's why I'm thinking about what I'll do in the future.

I'm sure you've seen this example, but I'll put it up again for convenience...

This is an intergrade splendida x nigrita. Notice the head shape, kinda different from the usual common king...has to do with the behavior and habitat, I think. These snakes are somewhat smaller than the ave. Cal king, or splendida, for that matter. There may be other qualities remaining to be discovered too.

Now just think how nice an albino would look alongside that black beauty. I love hypos too. I hope someone posts some pics of those mutations one of these days. Do you know anyone who has them? Thanks,

TC

Don Shores has some REALLY nice Splendida. I will email in a request for some pics. His Albino is a show stopper. That is an interesting snake you posted. I wonder how many odd snakes like that were overlooked when someone had the chance to collect one? If you consider that when used in morph projects those intergreades may give the trait a unique appearance. I like to think that every year or 2 we'll get too see a few new things. Since so many people seem interested in breeding these days something tells me the best is yet to come. And as I mentioned in one of the earlier posts, it also makes people want to see the snakes in thier natural form which is always cool too. Tom Stevens

I've posted these before. I got (1.2) Hypos from Don Shores and they are growing like crazy! So I will be breeding these in 2006 for sure. I also got (1.1) het for albino from Don Shores and I will be breeding these in 2006.

So, I wonder what an albino hypo would look like??? Coming soon.....

I have never seen an anery/axanthic but would love to get any slpendida morphs out there.

OPEN CALL LOL

Kerby...

Nice snakes Kerby, you know I drove Don nuts wanting the het Albinos and just never had the cash at the time and now I kick myself in the rear for not getting them. Damn those pesky wives! Why must they interfere LOL! I have plenty of other great snakes but I think those Albinos are VERY sharp. I too wonder what the Hybino would look like. Since there's not much else in Splendida as of now I am sure those double hets are not far off. Good luck with yours. Tom Stevens
ps Don said he would post some pics here soon

That's why I don't have a wife anymore LOL! I have a very understanding/supportive girlfriend that let's me have whatever I want. I'm spoiled, for sure.

And Don Shores always has nice stuff. I've seen the pic of the Albino splendida. I hope he will post it here.

Kerby...

When I saw the titles of your reply I KNEW that's what you were gonna say! LOL! The one time I coulda scored them was at a weak show with terrible turnout. Somehow I made a good buck that weekend and I woulda blew almost half of it on those snakes and that would've made my "see how great snakes are?! I made some decent cash this weekend" speech to my wife kind of ineffective LOL. Oh well, you can't have em all. Tom Stevens

Kerby,
Nice hypo splendida, and with the albinos there are soon to be double het for "hybino" on the way.
I hear word of anery/axanthics out there. I have not seen a picture yet, but soon we will see one. Then, as you know, ghosts and snows will be soon to follow.
And Tom,
I guess your wife doesn't frequent this forum, eh?
Careful what you say. Keep your words soft and sweet, cause you never know which ones you may have to eat. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
John Lassiter

Terry, those are some nice natural intregrades. My oldest son will be going to the U of A this fall, so I guess I will have to spend some more time down there.

Kerby...

Thanks. Tucson is certainly strategically located. You can find Cali, desert, or Mexican kings in each of three different directions. Lots of other neat stuff around too. Someday maybe you can come down and we can hit the Ritas to look for mtn. kings and green rats

TC

Terry send me an email so I can talk Splendida and Holbrooki with you. And maybe some Blue eyed blonde with you.
John Lassiter

My name is Derek Lee, and I live in Southern MD. I am an Engineering Technician. I love Kings, Corns, and Milks, but I also am thinking about a Hogg Is. Boa. I really enjoy reading most of the forum posts that everybody does. I post once in a while. One day maybe I'll hit some of the shows further south to meet some of you. I have;

1.1 AZ Kings
3.2 Graybands
1.0 Knoblochi & 0.1 on the way
0.1 Scarlet King
1.0 Red Milksnake
0.1 Coastal Plains Milksnake on the way
1.0 Creamsicle Corn
0.1 Normal Corn
0.1 Albino Corn I think

Hey Derek, looks like you have a nice collection going there. Here in TX there's many shows to attend and tons of great animals to buy. However nothing compares too Daytona and if at all possible that is a show you will really flip over. I went for the first time last year and was barely home before i started talking about going again this year. Besides seeing the unbeatable amount of outrageous snakes and herps in general I got too meet so many people I knew from the net that it made the trip all the more memorable. I like Hoggs too, that chameleon like color change they can exhibit must make them a very cool snake to keep. If you have any pics of your animals post em up! Tom Stevens

I plan on picking up some Brooksi and Thayeri this year. I will be breeding my corns this year also. It will be my first time breeding. Next year, I will have more to breed. This is my Scarlet King. It is an older pic, but she still is beautiful. Derek

Nice colors, is that what you'll be breeding this year? Tom Stevens

Gosh No! Crimsonking tells me breeding scarlets is very tough, especially if I don't have easy access to lizards. Well, the breeding part is easy, but feeding the young isn't. I am going to start with my 1.2 Cornsnakes. I figured that would be a good place to start. Next year I'll have a pair of Graybands of breeding size. Derek

My name is Olivia, and I hail from Kansas. My main area of interest is leopard geckos. I currently own about 30 breeders but will probably have a late start this season because I've got a full schedule this semester. I also raise tarantulas and several corns as side hobbies. I'm working on a B.S. in organismal biology (my second degree) and hope to specialize in parasitology. Herp breeding and genetics are all fun and good, but reptile health-related issues are what pique my interest the most. (But no, that doesn't mean I want to be a vet.)

I've only just recently started to become fascinated with kings. I met the Shores at a show a few months ago, and while I didn't buy anything from them at the time, that's how I got hooked. I've been lurking on this forum and feel like I already kind of know everybody. I do enjoy checking out everyone's photos, so keep 'em coming.

I guess I should try contributing some photos myself, so here's one of my recent additions. She came from Brandon Osborne.

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chickabowwow

Nice snake, Brandon always has nice stuff. Kansas eh? I was in Lawrence for a night last year working on a tour with a band. We kinda thought it was gonna be a beat night but we all had a good time. I can see how Don Shore's Kings would spark anyones interest. He always has a nice assortment of snakes to oggle over. That is excellent you are interested in parasitology. It is a hard subject to discuss seeing many people have different outlooks on the subject. I have heard contradictory things from vets on the subject, I wish it were easier to figure out! Best of luck with everything Tom Stevens

Hello everyone, My name is Jim. I'm here daily.....lol i just never seem to post? My interests here are my pair of blue eyed blonds, they are 01's vivid line. They will finally be ready to breed this year. Also i have 9 thayeri, 4 will be breeding this year. Also a pair of applegate sinaloans 03's, the splotched ones.....super cool. I started with a cal king snake when i was in 6th grade.....telling my mom " i have to get a snake for a science project" lol.
Thanks Jim
P.S. i will try to post more often

Hello Jim,
Glad you posted the pic of the Blue eyed blonde. Tim at Vivid has some nice snakes, huh? I like your blonde and would love to see pics of the offspring when they hatch. I am breeding a male striped blue eyed blonde to a hypo het blonde striper as well. I hope to produce some that are blondes het hypo.
I would also love to see some Thayeri pics from you also. Via email or post on the Mexicana subforum or here for that matter.
glad you chymed in too,
John Lassiter
Here is a pic of the male blonde:

Gotta get some of those too!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kerby...

Thanks john, here is a pic of female blond.
Jim

Looks remarkabley similar to mine, eh? Good looker. I want to see some babies when they hatch.
Great snakes.
John

Thats why i posted it. lol print a pic of her and put it in front of his cage......that will get him ready for spring
Jim

Hey, Jim, welcome aboard. John has some really nice Thayeri. Post please. Here's mine.

If you are producing some of those, then I might be interested in getting some from you later this summer.

E-mail me please, thanks

Kerby...

Hi, Olivia. Nice king and welcome! One question, what exactly is a chick-a-bow-wow? That always cracks me up! My name is Todd Hughes from Corpus Christi,Texas. I'm the scoutmaster of a troop of Boy Scouts here and the kids go nuts for the herps I show them for the reptile and amphibian merit badge. I love learning more about all snakes in general. Kings, hognose, milks, garters, rats, whips and indigoes. Living in south Texas allows for quite a variety, and wild caught locality herps are my specialty. Happy herpin' and good luck to all with this years breeding projects. I know I'm ready for some more snakes!

I think it's awesome you encourage kids to learn about reptiles. My first encounter with a snake was at a petting zoo trip when I was in kindergarten. I got to touch a huge boa draped around some guy's neck. And while I did grow up feeling nervous about running into snakes in the wild, uncertain if they were poisonous or not, my general attitude towards them harks back to that early experience petting the calm boa. And then once I started keeping snakes as pets, it was all over for me.
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chickabowwow

Xelda, where in Kansas are you from? I lived in Kansas from 1974-1986. Graduated from Junction City H.S. in 1977, graduated from Kansas State University in 1983, and was stationed at Ft. Riley from 1983-1986 (1st Infantry Division). My mom still lives out by Milford Lake. In fact, I will be making another herp trip out there in April.

Kerby...
formerly from the Land of Ahhhhs...............

I live in Overland Park. I've been here for 21 years. Where do you normally go herping? One of my friends and his buddy usually have somewhere different each time they go herping. I tagged along on one trip in Olathe, where they found 1.1 milks and a copperhead. As for me, I came home with a bajillion baby ticks clinging to my clothes.
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chickabowwow

Scott and I went last April, and will be going again this year in April. We herped in quite a few counties from western Kansas to eastern Kansas. We will be hitting some of the same areas and obviously some new areas as well.

The link will illustrate how our trip went. Over 1,000 snakes were found in 5 days. Most were Ringnecks, but we still found quite a few different species.

Kerby...
2004 Kansas Herp Trip

Hi. My name is Jeff, and I've been reading this board since about October. I guess the main reason I don't post is that I don't have a king yet. I'm mostly a ratsnake guy - I keep black rats and corns - but I'm bound and determined to get a king as soon as I find the right one. At any rate, I've learned a lot from you guys (even if you don't all agree), and seen some outstanding pics on this board.

Hey Jeff, most of keep other stuff besides Kings too. I like the Black Rat morphs a lot and there seems to be new ones appearing pretty frequently. One of the things that keeps this forum fast moving and interesting is all the different opinions we have on things. Though it can get a little hairy at times I think we all should be heard and the pics everyone contributes really make this board my favorite of all forums. What kind of Kings are you interested in most? Tom Stevens

Well, honestly, I don't keep any black rat morphs - they're all just plain black. lol Anyway, insofar as kings go, originally I wanted a splendida, but the only one that's available near me is an adult, and they want $150 for it, so I've decided to look into striped or reverse striped californiae, or getula getula.