Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK. I've bounced all around the forums today trying to figure this out. LOL!

We bought this guy today and the store acquired him from the Jacksonville Herpetological Society. They called him a "nuclear corn snake" which meant nothing to us. From posting in the cornsnake forum and the "What's this snake" forum I've learned that he is a hybrid and possibly a cross between a corn and a prairie king. What do you guys think? I'd appreciate any info or opinions. Thanks.

Looks like a King cornmole.....LOL
Seriously....I see cornsnake and mole king in it.
Moles and Praries are in the same ssp....Calligaster.
Strange looking but interesting.

I have seen kings and corns crossed producing what some call kingcorns, but I have never seen calligaster used in such a cross.

John Lassiter

lol! The nearest monicker to that is what I have heard called a turbo corn. I believe that is a corn X bull??
Are the scales keeled somewhat??
I imagine someone here knows.
:Mark

I'd say the scales are more smooth than keeled since it does look shiny or glossy.

:

LOL....
I think you hit the nail on the head Brandon...
I was hooked at cross, hybrid and did not think of that....LOL
John Lassiter

And what cool snakes they are. I had a pair many years ago. They are fun snakes. Too bad it's illegal for me to own them now.

Brandon

Hey Brandon, I have been trying to reach you...and it is important I talk to you. If you can not receive or get email through to me post a message on here and let me know Tom Stevens

Tom, I was going to call you this past sunday(the only time I would have). I saved your message on my machine, but we had storms blow through and it knocked out my power erasing your message........along with all the others I needed. I've been so busy with work, I haven't been online much in the last month. I'll email you my cell number.

thanks
Brandon

Brandon
You are a shmuck man. We have all been tring to reach you.

Will you be at the Sunshine this weekend?

Ive caught and seen many of them here in Wisconsin and that doesnt look like one except superficially. That looks like a Corn hybrid maybe with a Prairie or maybe a Pine ? Reagrdless it isnt a Fox of that Im pretty sure. Also look at the blotches. They are borderd in black with brick or brown centers while Fox Snakes have black or solid blotches. Also the head is to square Fox snakes usually have a more rounded snout.

Keith
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Elaphe vulpina w.foxsnake. i see no corn or prarieking in it at all the black bordered blotches,& head markings are very characteristic of fox snakes they are often sold as corns or corns crosses by unknowing dealers,,,,,,,,,,thomas davis

vulpina (fox snake)

Here are some descriptions and pics as well as a link to a website on Fox Snakes. After looking at this you will see you do not in fact have a Fox Snake. I applaude you for researching and asking its the best way to go.

Measuring 36 to 56 inches in length, this is one of Iowas larger non venomous species of snake (Conant and Collins, 1991). Ground color ranges from straw yellow to dark brown. Occasionally, there may be orange, yellow, or reddish pigment between the scales. There are large distinct body blotches that are very dark brown or black. These blotches become rings on the tail. The head may be light brown with yellow, orange, or reddish highlights and is usually unmarked except for a small design on top. The belly is a dirty yellow with black checkering.

Young fox snakes are noticeably lighter than adults, having a light brown or gray ground color and lighter body blotches with black outlining. The head is usually boldly marked with black lines, the most conspicuous of these being the line that travels diagonally from the eye to the angle of the jaw and the line on top of the head connecting the eyes. As with all North American rat snakes, the scales are weakly keeled (poorly defined keels on the dorsal scales and smooth lateral scales) and the anal plate is divided.

MN DNR
Identification

The Western Fox Snake is a large snake, averaging 40 to 50 inches in length. Its yellow-brown to tan body is patterned along its length by a row of dark brown blotches on its back, alternating with smaller blotches on the sides. The belly is yellowish to cream with scattered square dark blotches. Young fox snakes are pale gray with the same dark brown pattern as the adults. Similar species include: Bullsnake, Eastern Hognose Snake, Eastern Milk Snake

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Fox Snakes

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Yep hybrid...Thanks Keith....

That look's like a(Turbo gopher-corn)witch is 75%corn/25%gopher
that why the scale's don't look that keeled.A 50%corn/50%gopher have much more keeled looking scale's.

I would guess a corn/ratsnake cross. Maybe a everglades or even a blackrat. Hey its fun guessing, FR

Thats an easy one. You guys better brush up on your hybrids.

The red underbelly is a dead givaway of a gopher bred into a corn. I produced these and have also crossed the other hybrids mentioned here.

Ah. See that was going to be my next question. Where did the red belly come from. It's a beautiful salmon red that flares up the sides. He's gorgeous and has a nice temperment.

interesting. do you think hybrids will ever standardize to where someone could produce a field guide of sorts so they will be classifiable in and amongst themselves? serious question.

i hope i will track you down at the nrbe, get a good look at the jelly and get some information on the 007 project. got a couple of projects up my sleeve too, but probably not as classified.

db

LOL, your funny Dave.

I will be at the ice breaker on thursday eve from 7:30-9pm

Otherwise look for me near the bar area in the hotel lobby on friday and sat night

I will email my cell to you.

Also the hybrids are always changing so a guide would be quite impossible. I think it is best for hybridizers and purists alike to familiarize themselves with them so if a fake animals comes along one can tell the difference. I want to post snakes here that look like fakes which I awalys thought is a big plus on this forums because it will give people the opportunity to familiarize themselves with what sort of things are out there. Not until recently certain people have been more open.AND I think this is imposrtant because this hooby is going into this direction whether some like it or not. So it makes perfect sence to post hybrids on this forum.

Look at the lav brooksi x goini that I have from Gulf coast for instance. When a true albino goini pops up in the hobby people should know what the fake ones looked like. Right? Or do the "brow-beating-peer-pressure" types want everyone to hide their head in the sand like certain bird I know. If so this hobby is going to get screwed up real fast.

Everyone should have a talk with their children about protection. ...Whoops sound like a condom ad right now. How about Pres. George Bush seniors wife Nancy...."Just Say NO" .
Yeah, uh huh. That'll work . Bwaaaaahahhaha

See ya in Daytona. yippeeee!