Reptile & Amphibian Forums

It has been a nice year for kingsnakes for my field partner Will and myself. At this point we have seen over 70 specimens in the field. This one was found yesterday under a barn door at an abandoned farm in rural Ky.

This is a look at a tin site we have visited many times over the years. The black king is the species most commonly found here but at times we have seen timbers, racers, hogs and a number of the smaller forest dwelling snakes such as earth snakes, worm snake and ringnecks.

A look at one of the hognose snakes we found recently.

Interestingly enough even though kingsnakes are common at our study sites we seldom find them in our funnel traps. Copperheads are often found in our traps though like these three from yesterday.

We took a few pics prior to release, this one of a typical colored copperhead.

This one a gray phase.

I liked this pic. It illustrates how well the copperhead blends in with its surroundings. This pic was taken in situ as the snakes were found under tin. The racer was nearly 6' long.

I am fortunate enough to have kingsnakes living near my home. Every year about this time they cut the field behind my house and I walk back to see what I can find. Aside from a handful of chopped up snakes of several spacies I found this female king seeking refuge under some debris. Its good to see some survive!

Also found was this 4' male under a sheet of tin on a wooded hillside a short walk from the house.

As much as I enjoy keeping kingsnakes, seeing them in their habitat with the species they co-exist with really brings the kingsnake keeping experience together for me. Hope some of you feel the same. Phil

hey phil!, coool pics!

Thanks. Glad you liked! Phil

As usual, great field pics Phil. I also saw that photo on the Ky. herp site of that ticked off snapping turtle you're holding, as well as that pic of the nice looking black eastern hog. The one Dean is holding. Post some pics of that eastern on the hog forum if you get a chance.

Steve

where Dean had posted that Ky Eastern Hog over on the hognose Forum. Awesome pic.

Steve

Thanks Steve. It was fun getting out with Dean and Jason to a few of our sites. It was a slow day over all but the hog was neat, and it was the first time Dean had seen one in the field so that was nice. Phil

Another great report, Phil! Interesting looking hognose and way too many coppers! hey that last male nigra looks like it has blue eyes! Not in shed blue but a different hue? Thanks for the field report.
Todd Hughes

Thanks Todd. I had the impression the last king may have been a very old snake. I noticed it had a a sort of cast over its eye that didn't quite look like it had anything to do with shedding. The other eye that you can't see in the pic was completely clouded over and look as if it was a cateract or something and I'm guessing the snake was blind in that eye. Phil

Your posts & photographs are such a delight. Most of what I've learned about Black Kings came from you.

How fortunate you are to be in an area with an abundance of reptiles!

Near me in the Columbia River Gorge is a small, isolated population of CA Mountain Kings, in the Hood River area. A friend & I have herped many times in various canyons & bluffs, never saw a sign. We only rarely even see rattlesnakes! We've talked to 2 persons who saw Mountain Kings in the last 2 years, but they are apparently very rare here.

I may relocate to NV. If so, I'll finally have decent herping opportunities. Look for MY future posts & photographs...

Thanks Ameron. I'm glad you enjoy my field pics posts. I do indeed feel fortunate to live in an area with good herp populations in both total numbers and diversity of species. It would be neat to see some field pics from the west coast area. I have never traveled there but I have been strongly considering making plans to visit there some time and heve the western field herping experience. I would especially like seeing californiae in the field. Phil

I lived in SoCal for 10 years from 1980-90. Never once saw a kingsnake in the wild! Only saw 1 rattler even, in a canyon along Oretega Highway. (One creek had newts and Pacific Tree Frogs.)

Here in the OR/WA area, I've herped for the local population of CA Mountian Kings for 2 years. Have hiked canyons in the Columbia Gorge where locals have seen Mountain Kings in last 2 years, but never once saw one. Only have seen 1 rattler in 15 years here! (Garter snakes are VERY common, at least 5 species in WA.)

I'm hoping for much better reptile action & adventure in NV. I may relocate there this autumn.

Until then, all that I can do is fume with envy everytime you post... (;

Man you've definitely got it good up there Phil. No Timbers this week though? Seems like you've found at least one every week now since that first one you came across months and months ago.

Thanks Sean. We have seen timbers for six months in a row now and we hope that one might turn up yet in Oct. We are guessing they are moving towards their hibernacula now so we might have to do some hiking. Timbers are not known to den in large numbers here so it might be tough spotting individual snakes. Phil

That copper head/ blk racer shot ...I wonder did the racer take out that copper head!!!!!
Again sweet photos Phil

Thanks Dre. It was interesting that out of 30 or so sheets of tin at that site only two snakes were found (other than ringnecks) and they were under the same sheet of tin. The racer was big and thick and had obviously been eating very well this year. It was around 50 degrees with no sun when the snakes were found so maybe the copperhead was safe for the moment. We often see snakes with huge meals in them this time of year though. Phil