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This little male was sent to me by a good friend Andrew Hare. He flipped a rock in Russell County, KS and the little gem was just sitting there. Russell County is located about center of the state. I've never been there, but all the range maps show this to be the zone of intergradation. Do any of you guys have any locale pics of other Kansas specks/deserts? I would like some input from some of you that may have collected in that general area before, or at least have seen some similar animals. He kinda reminds me of the checkerboard morph in speckled kings. Really unique little character.

I love it, you are one lucky dog. It would be great if you could find a suitable mate. Good luck with it Tom Stevens

veryveryvery very nice! congrats,,,,,,,,,thomas

I like it alot...Congratulations.
It kinda looks checkerboarded, eh Tom?
Cool snake.
John Lassiter

Ya know what dude? I can not believe I did not notice that....very well may be similar to the checkerboards. Tom Stevens

...if you'll read my original post above the pic I made reference to it looking very similar to the checkerboard morph.

I was so blown away by the pic I replied in like a mili second LOL It really is a great snake,,,,,I am totally jealous!
Tom Stevens

I've gotta get out more.

>>This little male was sent to me by a good friend Andrew Hare. He flipped a rock in Russell County, KS and the little gem was just sitting there. Russell County is located about center of the state. I've never been there, but all the range maps show this to be the zone of intergradation. Do any of you guys have any locale pics of other Kansas specks/deserts? I would like some input from some of you that may have collected in that general area before, or at least have seen some similar animals. He kinda reminds me of the checkerboard morph in speckled kings. Really unique little character.
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Really awesome yellow!!! Gut one from Texas but not like that!! Way to go!
Todd Hughes

I have been away for a while, but I thought speckled started in central east texas, So wouldn't that be a speckled, black intergrade?

The truth is, is doesn't matter what it is, its very nice. I would go look for more, maybe you got a new type there. FR

Andrew Hare caught him under a rock he flipped in Russell, Kansas. According to all the range maps the only possibility is between a desert and speckled, way out of range for any black kings. He posted pics of the little guy on moreliapythons.com when he caught it and said it was one of the most unique he had seen. I would have to agree! I plan on trying to get a suitable female from the same area, or incorporating this male into my checkerboard projects.

It does not have to be an intergrade, it indeed could be just a locality type. Kingsnakes do that all the time. Good luck FR

Good point Frank...I was thinking that myself.
I did not think it was a Splendida intergrade.
I thought it was pure Holbrooki. I don't think there is any Splendida influence in that snake at all. Actually I think it is out of Splendida range.
Glad you brought that point up.
John Lassiter

....it has much more holbrooki influence too? I was thinking that myself, but since I know nothing about the area or the snakes that are common to it I wanted some feedback. I'm glad you guys see the definite holbrooki. If that's what it is then it sure will be a smoker!!

The only statement to be made is, go see if there are more like it. It could be a local abberant, kingsnakes do that commonly. Or it could be a local color phase. You know, a certain percentage of that population is like that and the rest are normal, Kingsnakes commonly do that. Or it could be a new type of kingsnake, subspecies or whatever term they use these day. It could be a Russell Kansas morph speckled king.

The point is, its a bit different, its really nice(which means nothing to science) and its in your hands(you should be happy about that) Now the rest is up to you. Good luck, and don't cross it out until you find out what it is. FR

You definitely got a screamer that looks nothing like this. I'm trying to nail down the southernoverlap of splendida/holbrooki and the "clearest" intergrade I come up with is Calhoun county, Texas, but a lot of the "splendida" look to have a bit of "holbrooki" as far down as my home county in Nueces. Fantastic locale snake, man!
Todd hughes

Freshly shed
Todd Hughes

Oops! sorry for the repeat!

I'm very proud of the guy, and I have been wondering all along if Andrew even realizes how unique the little thing is. I'm glad he sent it!! It has started eating f/t pinks for me, and is doing well, so we shall see what the future holds I guess.