Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just got this three foot eastern king the day before yesterday.
It is a beautiful specimen. Not a blemish or mark on it.
It is hard to tell from the picture but all of the "stripes" are quite uniform.
It is also just as calm and tame as ever.
Great little snake.

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Jimmy (draybar)

Very Nice Eastern King you have there!

Im not so sure thats an Eastern Kingsnake. Looks more like a Eastern Black Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula nigra . Eastern Black Kingsnakes can have a very faint chain pattern like the one you have. Its still a beautiful snake regardless. Ask the dealer or the person you got it from where it was collected or where the parents were collected.

Keith

>>Im not so sure thats an Eastern Kingsnake. Looks more like a Eastern Black Kingsnake Lampropeltis getula nigra . Eastern Black Kingsnakes can have a very faint chain pattern like the one you have. Its still a beautiful snake regardless. Ask the dealer or the person you got it from where it was collected or where the parents were collected.
>>
>>Keith

I was told the same thing on the field forum.
I have seen snakes like this all my life and I just always thought "rings" were indicative of Easterns.
I live in Southeast Tennessee. I caught the little guy at work.
Does anyone have pictures of blacks and easterns for comparison?
thanks
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Jimmy (draybar)

There may be some intergradation in the area you said it came from. SE TN right?
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Tim

>>There may be some intergradation in the area you said it came from. SE TN right?
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>>Tim

Yep,
The very S.E. corner of TN. If you look at a map you will see Chattanooga. I live in a suburb of Chattanooga. Just a stones throw away from Georgia.
I would love to know for sure. Like I said earlier I just always thought the kings here were Eastern Kings.
No one I know personally, in my area, keeps snakes so I have never had anyone to exchange information or ides with. "til the Net!!
I have a nice local pet store that deals in reptiles but I never really had the need to discuss the possibilites of king snake varieties in our area.
Always nice to learn... so please educate me.........LOL
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Jimmy (draybar)

I thought I had found an eastern until posting it here.After doing further research found out it was a black king.

I have not read anywhere that eastern kings are native to TN.
Everything that I saw mentioned black,speckled and hybrid black,speckled but not eastern.Eastern are found more along the coastal plain.Regarless- he sure is good looking.

>>Hey everyone, how do you like my new Black Kingsnake?...LOL

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Jimmy (draybar)

If Chris H and Keith Hillson think it is a black kingsnake, that is likely what it is. The beauty of it is that it doesn't really matter that much. What you have is a great animal regardless (to be correct I would refer to it as a black kingsnake though ). Enjoy.
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Tim

>>If Chris H and Keith Hillson think it is a black kingsnake, that is likely what it is. The beauty of it is that it doesn't really matter that much. What you have is a great animal regardless (to be correct I would refer to it as a black kingsnake though ). Enjoy.
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>>Tim

Hi Tim,
Although everyone had me convinced it was truly a black king and not an eastern king I did some research anyway last night.
After several books and many many web searches I am now 99% sure instead of just 98% sure that it is indead a black king. (lampropeltis getula nigra)
So, thanks everyone.
He is a beauty and just as tame as can be so I will be keeping him. It is just nice to know I will now be able to properly identify him.
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Jimmy (draybar)

.

terry
albino tricolors

I just hope she looks this good as an adult.
David

Nice looking King is that Howie Sherman stock (Virginai Beach locality) or maybe some locale of Georgia stock ?

Keith

Keith you da man,
I bought them from Howie,good call.
David

Thanks,
Those are some extermely nice Eastern Kings.
Those pics just add to the evidence...LOL. I have a black king.
thanks.
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Jimmy (draybar)

Yep, looks like you have a fine black king specimen...common to us folk here in East Tennessee.

>>Yep, looks like you have a fine black king specimen...common to us folk here in East Tennessee.

Where in East Tennessee are you, pencil?
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Jimmy (draybar)