Black Rat/Speckled King interbreeding?

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Posted by DeeB on April 17, 2002 at 08:56:00:

I have raised a wild caught Black Rat snake and a wild caught Speckled King snake, both native to Kansas where I live. I did not know the sex of these snakes. I got them both as babies and they are now about 3 years old. They have always been kept in separate tanks and never had any direct contacts with other snakes. In November, both of these snakes escaped from their tanks about the same time. The black rat was found a few weeks later behind a file cabinet in a room next door to the one from which he escaped. The speckled king was found about ten weeks later, crawling out of a sink drain in a bathroom across the hall from the room from which she escaped. Both snakes seemed fine when recaptured - if a little thirsty!! Now, my speckled king is laying eggs! So, I know that she is a female, but I am curious as to whether she and the black rat snake could have mated during the time they were on the loose. Or could the speckled king lay eggs even if not bred? Thanks for any info! P.S. Yes, I've gotten more secure tops for both these critters' tanks!

Follow Ups:

My guess... Donovan 04/17/02 (3)
- Re: My guess... Stephen Barger 04/17/02 (2)
  - Re: My guess... Dee B 04/19/02 (1)
    - Re: My guess... Dee B 04/23/02 (0)

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: I have raised a wild caught Black Rat snake and a wild caught Speckled King snake, both native to Kansas where I live. I did not know the sex of these snakes. I got them both as babies and they are now about 3 years old. They have always been kept in separate tanks and never had any direct contacts with other snakes. In November, both of these snakes escaped from their tanks about the same time. The black rat was found a few weeks later behind a file cabinet in a room next door to the one from which he escaped. The speckled king was found about ten weeks later, crawling out of a sink drain in a bathroom across the hall from the room from which she escaped. Both snakes seemed fine when recaptured - if a little thirsty!! Now, my speckled king is laying eggs! So, I know that she is a female, but I am curious as to whether she and the black rat snake could have mated during the time they were on the loose. Or could the speckled king lay eggs even if not bred? Thanks for any info! P.S. Yes, I've gotten more secure tops for both these critters' tanks!

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