Re: My guess...

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Posted by Stephen Barger on April 17, 2002 at 22:30:33:

In Reply to: My guess... posted by Donovan on April 17, 2002 at 10:10:39:

I would think that they did not breed, but rather the speckled king is laying infertile eggs.

While hybrids are not impossible, it isn't too likely to happen between these two species unless done purposely by man (why would someone try this?? who knows!)

I volunteer at a local museum, and we have a Northern Pine Snake that was wc, about 2 years ago, and the two springs she has been in captivity she has laid eggs.
So I know they can (and some do) lay infertile eggs.

Keep us posted though, cause if a "natural" hybrid between a king and a black rat happened, that'd be interesting.

Stephen Barger

: is that the eggs are infertile. I would think that if the two came in contact with each the king would eat the ratsnake.

: I have never tried making hybrids, but from what I understand you have to switch females
: right
: before matting occurs.

: : 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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Re: My guess... Dee B 04/19/02 (1)
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: I would think that they did not breed, but rather the speckled king is laying infertile eggs. : While hybrids are not impossible, it isn't too likely to happen between these two species unless done purposely by man (why would someone try this?? who knows!) : I volunteer at a local museum, and we have a Northern Pine Snake that was wc, about 2 years ago, and the two springs she has been in captivity she has laid eggs. : So I know they can (and some do) lay infertile eggs. : Keep us posted though, cause if a "natural" hybrid between a king and a black rat happened, that'd be interesting. : Stephen Barger : : is that the eggs are infertile. I would think that if the two came in contact with each the king would eat the ratsnake. : : I have never tried making hybrids, but from what I understand you have to switch females : : right : : before matting occurs. : : : 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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