Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Inoticed that the adult high white 50/50 cal kings on the classifieds tend to have a great deal of black tipping between the scales that greatly reduces the contrast you see in them as babies. Is this the norm for these snakes as they age?

I have a couple of great looking juvi high white 50/50 cal kings from Renegade (jet black & extreme white) and just want to know the likelihood of them keeping their contrast as they age. Thanks

In cal kings it is common for older adults to have darker markings in between the white scales. But that is not always the case. I've had 50-50s and High Whites that never turned and of course I also have had some that did. You cannot tell if that will occur as babies.

Kerby...

My "50/50" is actually more of a 60/40, which I prefer. Nice contrast, but does not look too ghostly. I've never cared for pale animals, especially albinos.

I swapped my Mex Black for him due to his nature & behavior. Known for their "confident, docile nature", he once explored his new 60-gallon vivarium (nice setup, you'd drool)for over 3 hours! Most active snake I ever had. Behaves very well - if you know how to handle them - they are very strong willed and will sometimes test you. Which I like.

(Search for "Joshua Tree" and "Kingsnake and find the refence to the one photographed in 1996 that actually approached 4 hikers and smelled their boots while they observed him with their flashlight!)

Mine eats well, too, and prefers live food, except that as a 1st-year juvenile he rejected his first snake, a Garter Snake. He was actaully intimidated by it, I'm embarrassed to say, but this is quite common among juvenile, captive-bred specimens. As they age and get larger, they get more aggressive with prey.

Don't care how mine colors as he ages, he has flaws in his bands but his Cal King head dot is almost perfect. But I treasure him for his behavior. You are blessed to have a Mojave phase Cal King - be happy!

Don
Vancouver, WA