Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just wondering if the Eastern king L g getula actually ranges in TN, or if the population there is a natural intergrade of getula X nigra?? Anyone know the answer and better yet have any pics?? Would like to see a natural intergrade.
Brian
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RATS
2.0 Corn snakes "Warpath" & "Thunderbird" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

There is a photo of a snake in Stupka and Huheey's old book on Herps of Smokey Mts NP that looks like it could well be an intergrade. Apparently the intergrade zone is somewhere along the mountains with getula falling out on the east side and nigra on the west. This is not prime habitat for kingsnakes and from what I understand they are scarce at the higher elevations which is where the intergradation probably occurs. I have never seen or heard of a pure getula occuring in Tennessee.

I checked out that thread on the other forum and I agree with you that the snake is a hatchling nigra. I think the heavy pattern they have at this ages confuses some people into thinking they are getula.

I also hate that name some are using the "eastern black kingsnake". It implies that there is either some attachment with the eastern king or the Mexican black kingsnake. One of the things I don't like about common names. I prefer nigra, nigrita, getula..etc myself. Phil

Thanks Phil, thats what I had thought but just wasnt for sure.
And the confusion caused by using common names by them selves is pretty apparent when you look at some of the threads.
Brian

>>There is a photo of a snake in Stupka and Huheey's old book on Herps of Smokey Mts NP that looks like it could well be an intergrade. Apparently the intergrade zone is somewhere along the mountains with getula falling out on the east side and nigra on the west. This is not prime habitat for kingsnakes and from what I understand they are scarce at the higher elevations which is where the intergradation probably occurs. I have never seen or heard of a pure getula occuring in Tennessee.
>>
>>I checked out that thread on the other forum and I agree with you that the snake is a hatchling nigra. I think the heavy pattern they have at this ages confuses some people into thinking they are getula.
>>
>>I also hate that name some are using the "eastern black kingsnake". It implies that there is either some attachment with the eastern king or the Mexican black kingsnake. One of the things I don't like about common names. I prefer nigra, nigrita, getula..etc myself. Phil
-----

RATS
2.0 Corn snakes "Warpath" & "Thunderbird" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian

Brian, only albino L. g. getula are found in Tennessee. The rest are black kings, L. g. nigra. Ken

I have heard tales of that magical beast lol! Phil

Ahhh, so that is where all the albino Easterns are huh?? Well, I guess you just let the cat out of the bag then! LOL
Thanks
Brian
-----

RATS
2.0 Corn snakes "Warpath" & "Thunderbird" (KY locale)
1.0 Black rat snake "Havok" (KY locale)
1.1 Black rat snakes "Reaper and Mystique" (MO locale)
1.0 Albino Black rat snake "Malakai" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Everglades rat snake "Deadpool" (Dwight Good stock)
0.1 Greenish rat snake "Rogue" (Dwight Good stock)
1.0 Great plains rat snake "Reign Fire" (TX locale)
1.0 Grey rat snake "Punisher" (White oak phase)(Dwight Good stock)

Good luck and Happy Herping
Brian