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IMO there are few Z's that can match the beauty of a nice Kern animal. Probably different for everyone, but these are the nicest looking to me. Holdback male from last year, one crossover and ate unscented f/t right off the bat!!

Hi Joe,
Really really nice.
Andy

Thank you sir!

Yeah Jimmy, almost worth keeping him just for that! I have not had much trouble getting zonata to eat though. Now LTT, that is a different story!! LOL.

>>IMO there are few Z's that can match the beauty of a nice Kern animal. Probably different for everyone, but these are the nicest looking to me. Holdback male from last year, one crossover and ate unscented f/t right off the bat!!
>>

That thing is CLEAN!
Awesome Zonata!
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John Lassiter
Poor planning and procrastination on your part does not constitute an emergency on my part...

Thanks John. I have seen some SMOKING z's from this locale and as stated, IMO they win.

Joe

Pretty knobs. I love the scale extension. Not a mountain king but an extreme case of scale extension due to pregnancy.

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Rick Staub

I have no idea why it went under the wrong thread. It was not me.
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Rick Staub

I agree. Some Kern snakes beat the Diablo Range zonata for color, low triad counts and wide red bands.

Nice snake Joe.
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Rick Staub

Thanks Rick. I was going to ask where in Kern did that Boa come from!!!??? LOL

But it's SO hard not being partial to the Diablo snakes. (sorry for mediocre cell phone pics)

One of the best ones I've ever seen at 17 triads. Can NOT wait to see her grow up to be a 4 foot monstah.

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Jerry Kruse
www.zonatas.com

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Diablo zonata are definitely nice but the color on the Kern snakes is what makes it, they glow. You get low triad counts at both locales. Mitch produced a 16 triad Kern zonata last year. At both locales we have found several snakes with triad counts of 19-22. But like I said, it is the color.
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Rick Staub

Rick, I agree on the color being more stunning on the Kerns. My big male Diablo does pose an argument though! LOL

Very nice. There are a few Diablo snakes and even some Lz zonata that I have seen that have more of a cherry red color to them instead of the normal orange, and are very clean with even banding. Your Diablo z looks to have some of that. All I can say, and I will likely not be able to show it with pics, is that the best Kern zonatas I have seen are better. Their color just glows. And yes I am splitting hairs, and I will likely change my opinion when someone finally pulls a z from south of Pacheco Pass in the Diablo Range. I'll post some pics when I can.

BTW, both of these locales are integrade forms, possibly between the same subspecies), likely with similar genetics. They seem to have co-evolved to a similar pattern and large size. Not surprising since the lower elevation Kern habitat is likewise similar to that on the Diablo Range.
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Rick Staub

Rick, I have talked with Mitch about this before and I guess that is why they are both screaming beautiful locales of snakes. IMO the kern animals that I have seen are overall better looking animals. But you guys have seen WAY more then I ever will, so to hear you say the same tells me my color blind eyes are not doing so bad!! LOL My one adult female Kern is not a looker, but her mate is and they produced that hatchling I posted. Pics don't show it but the kern animals color is brighter, and is it me or do Hamilton animals have more tipping to the white bands? Mine do at least.

Indeed Rick....I have a single pair of Lzz from a low elevation area in Napa that their colors just pop.....but from from the St. Helena's I've seen (also not as many as you, of course), that's not too often the case. Generally speaking, hats are tipped to the Kern & Diablo specimens to display that on a more consistent basis. Much like Joey, I have a pair whereby one (the female) explodes with color & the male is so-so. Eiter way, can't help but love 'em regardless.

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Jerry Kruse
www.zonatas.com

And God said, "Let there be zonata subspecies for all to ponder..."

Excellent zonata! Although I am a sucker for high band counts and lots of black, nice multicincta's really do it for me! Here is my Kern Z

Sweet!! Nice looking animal you have there. I too like some of the locales with almost all OR all black crossovers. Kinda gives the "flame sided" look with wedges of red. On the list of GONNA haves!!

Joe

That is smoking!
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