Reptile & Amphibian Forums

A friend of mine brough back two milks caught in upstate New York across the street from each other. The larger one is a very husky 3' but typical milk in pattern (Nice light brown saddles) much like that in Markel's big Kingsnake book. The belly is greatly reduced in checking and has a rose flush.

The second snake is a mystery. The snake is about 23" and has normal looking 30 blotches on the back which are very dark gray-black with redish centers. The side blotches come up like bars. The belly is heavily and darkly checked like a cornsnake. Then there is the head. There is a heavy black band just in front of the prefrontals and what looks like a incomplete spearpoint on the head. The head on this is more distinct fom the neck and appears longer. And no, the scales aren't keeled nore is there the typical sharp edged ratsnake edge to the belly.

The effect is something like a prarrie king except the saddles are too few.

It really is a tremendus variation for being found so close. Is this normal for E.M.s in that area?

Does anyone have good head shots of snakes from New York?

Thanks ahead of time.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Their patterns can be extremely variable throughout their range.

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Mike
KingPin Reptiles Inc.
Helmz777@aol.com
www.freewebs.com/mikesnake
Updated 9/19 NEW PICS/INFO

this adult male is from Putnam Co NY
He escaped

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Am I the only one here that thinks pink designer snakes are ugly ?

Damn fine looking animal. Again tottally different from my animal. How long ago did it escape?

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Hi,

I have found eastern milkers in Erie (several populations), Niagara, Cattaraugus, Livingston, Steuban and Chemung counties in WNY. I have to agree with Mike, that They are incredibly variable as adults within the many populations. Even within Erie (my home county) There are a few known (by me) distinct populations and each one is a bit different. However, within the counties I mentioned the populations are very different. For example one population in Chemung county is naturally axanthic (silver and black), while a population in the Niagara Gorge below Niagara falls is especially large (over 4'). One population in S E Erie County had individuals with a natural orange wash that resembled nice Brazilian rainbow boas. However, I haven't seen those in almost 15 years. Some were melanistic also, but I can't place where we found them (too many years and lost brain cells). Unfortunately, I don't have any pics on digital media, and most if not all, are packed away deep in the bowls of my house. If I run across any interesting photos, I'll try to put 'em up though.

Will

Sorry I'm a bit late on this haven't been here for a few days, but here's one that was found last year in Montgomery Co. In my experience most in that area were very similar to this one, a nice rusty red, but move a little south to Schoharie Co and they tend to be a much more bright fire engine red. He was about to shed in this pic so colour isn't at it's best. He was fairly small, I'd say about 16-18" in length when he was caught in a woodpile in a friend's back yard. Whereabouts are you in NY state?
~Roo

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"Hail to the King baby..." -Ash, Housewares (Bruce Campbell vs AOD)

Great pics but none like this snake. I live in S. Fla. The snakes were caught in Monitcello Co. NY.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

....from NY.

:Mark