Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I bought this two years ago as a hatchling female "Melanistic California Kingsnake". Alot of people have said they dont think that is what it is. It also turned out to be a male. Someone said a Mendota King, maybe. I appreciate any help! Oh yeah, I almost forgot his belly is jet black.

Some people do refer to kings like what you have, as melanistics, some refer to them as Mendota locales, some people say the Mendota specimens are melanistic. What you have is by no means melanistic, although some may call it that. Melanistic cali kings are entirely jet black, with no visible pattern.

Nice snake.

Mike
Michael's Place

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Well, there are experts on this forum who should be able to be more specific, but...your snake is not a "Mendota" king--a morph of the California kingsnake whose natural range is confined to a small area in California's San Joaquin Valley along the San Joaquin River near the town of Mendota. The "Mendota phase" is characterized by 4-5 anterior bands (normal rings), with the remainder of the pattern a series of dots and dashes. The ventral surface is all dark (black or dark brown) and typically there is a light stripe on the underside of the tail.

Cheers,

Bob Hansen

What I see of your picture makes me think of what is referred to as conjuncta phase,just my opinion,good luck.Tim Ricks

Thankyou Guys and or Girls.