Re: Chocolate California kings

Posted by Rick Staub on February 25, 2002 at 19:34:06:

In Reply to: Chocolate California kings posted by Don Shores on February 24, 2002 at 19:50:36:

There are a few isolated populations of melanistic kingsnakes throughout the Central Valley of California as depicted by the triangles in the range map in Stebbin's field guide. These are sometimes refered to as black-belly Cal kings and yes they do look very similar to the Baja kings. Their color is a little lighter (more brown) than the Baja animals which tend more toward black. The patterns are also more distinct in the Calif specimens. Eric Loza wrote an article about them in the old Reptile and Amphibian Magazine though I do not know what issue. There is a pic of one in the classifieds (shameless of me!!).

: I was wondering if anyone knows where these cal. kings came from?I had some in 1983 that I received from Ernie Wagner. He had received them from Tom Lamont and was told that they came from a wild melanistic population in California. I know some of the Baja Cal. Kings look similar to the ones I had. Mine was over 5 feet and solid chocolate with very faint bands that you could only see in the sun. Hope someone can help. Don

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• Re: Chocolate California kings Don Shores 02/25/02 (1)
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: There are a few isolated populations of melanistic kingsnakes throughout the Central Valley of California as depicted by the triangles in the range map in Stebbin's field guide. These are sometimes refered to as black-belly Cal kings and yes they do look very similar to the Baja kings. Their color is a little lighter (more brown) than the Baja animals which tend more toward black. The patterns are also more distinct in the Calif specimens. Eric Loza wrote an article about them in the old Reptile and Amphibian Magazine though I do not know what issue. There is a pic of one in the classifieds (shameless of me!!). : : I was wondering if anyone knows where these cal. kings came from?I had some in 1983 that I received from Ernie Wagner. He had received them from Tom Lamont and was told that they came from a wild melanistic population in California. I know some of the Baja Cal. Kings look similar to the ones I had. Mine was over 5 feet and solid chocolate with very faint bands that you could only see in the sun. Hope someone can help. Don

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