New Craigslist find, but what is it?

[FloridaHogs]

Picked this guy up today, as well as the tank, for free. Just needed a good home. I know it is a king (at least that is what they said) but not sure what type? He (probed male) is extremely sweet and in blue at the moment. 665g and 52.82 inches. Age unknown. Appears to be all black with slight yellow speckling on the edges of his belly. Will probably be easier to see once he sheds. He is set up in quar. on the far side of the house. Appears to be in great health, maybe slightly overweight? I do not know about kings, so he might be fine. He was feed 3 adult mice every 10 days. So does anybody know what he is?

Tank
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3464.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3453b.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3455b.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3459b.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3457b.jpg

[AneesasMuse]

You know all about my level of snakey knowledge :madgrin: ..but I am going to venture and say MBK? It looks an awful lot like the one I almost bought a few weeks ago (been months, now that I think of it) ..until I found the weird lumpage thing (tumor, maybe).

Whatever it is, it's GORGEOUS!!! I really like monochrome :D


This is the perfect time to count some scales and compare... :nerd:

[FloridaHogs]

He is beautiful, even in shed. I can't wait to see his true colors. I was thinking MBK as well, but I do not know if they have the yellow flecks or not.

[markface]

definately looks like a mexican black king to me . it could be a black milk , but i dont think so . he looks to be in good shape and not over weight at all .

[AneesasMuse]

The one I was hoping to pick up had yellow scales scattered along its belly the same way ..which was a slight deterrent for me, but it brought the price down to a "song" ..until I realized the Vet costs for figuring out that "lump".

It's beautiful, like I said ..I love 'em! Pattern is nice ..you can visualize all kinds of stuff in it ...but a snake that is all black or all white ..just amazing, to me :icon_winkle:

[HognosedCornSnake]

Ohh pretty!

looks sweet too :D

[snowliz]

It (he) is beautiful whatever he is.

[Chandler Rep]

Is it about 3 foot?

Any light banding hidden in the black, he is coming across as to iridescent to see anything on it other than the black...

[FloridaHogs]

4.4 ft. Let me see if I can get some better pics.

[FloridaHogs]

Here you go. Some better ones without so much glare. I really do not see any white bleeding through.

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3473.jpg

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b214/FloridaHogs/Misc%20%20Snakes/100_3472.jpg

[Chandler Rep]

Sorry can't help...may have to find out what the scale counts are to find out which one for sure...

[FloridaHogs]

Which scales counts would be needed?

[markface]

Which scales counts would be needed?

i dont know what the scale counts would be , but i'm pretty sure jeff is talking either mbk or black milk snake . they both look very similarr and scale count is i believe the only way to distinguish one from the other unless the king is showing some of it's juvinile pattern .

[HognosedCornSnake]

if your gunna do a scale count, lucky u, he is already in shed :D no counting a moving snake lol

that snake is freaking awesome... im sorry but like i think thats about the only colubrid(sp?) i have seen lately that i like lol

[Chandler Rep]

i dont know what the scale counts would be , but i'm pretty sure jeff is talking either mbk or black milk snake . they both look very similarr and scale count is i believe the only way to distinguish one from the other unless the king is showing some of it's juvinile pattern .

Yeah I don't even know where to find out that info....they are probably close

For a minute I was even leaning towards a black rat but seeing the scales stretched out you would really see a faint pattern and I don't know enough about the black milks to even know if the adults have any pattern at all that will show through after they change...if that is a MBK then that is the biggest one I have had the pleasure of seeing...I know they can get that big just I have never seen one...I think the eyes will tell you more once you start really looking into them and after he sheds...always something with the eyes and since it isn't taking chunks out of your hand I am going to say it is not a black rat snake since all the ones I have ever met bite and then bite and then bite again (plus there is normally alot more white creeping up the sides)....lol

[ReptileMan27]

My guess is its a MBK, we have a king breeder on my site that might be able to tell you for sure..

[geckogirl171]

I don't know much but I have always wanted a MBK and that looks exactly like one to me. Congrats on the pick up, he is gorgeous!! Can't wait to see him out of shed!

[SNSnakes]

I'm almost positive it's a Mexican black king. Definitely not a black rat...it has the narrow kingsnake head. A lot of MBKs have residual patterning on the belly...either yellow, red or orange. Yeah, the older ones can go over 5 feet, easy.

[AneesasMuse]

I think the head tells it, too ...not a Black Rat, for sure.

I'll call my buddy at EBV after 12 (my time) and ask him about the scale count. If he's not sure, he'll know someone who is..


....and should you decide that you don't want Mr. Anonymous.. :heh:

[HognosedCornSnake]

....and should you decide that you don't want Mr. Anonymous.. :heh:

i'll steal the package in transport and keep him for myself :D :D :D :D ahha

[HognosedCornSnake]

just found this...
http://www.kingsnake.com/king/getula/nigritus.html

Scalation:
Dorsal: 23 - 25 rows
Ventral: 213 - 225
Sub-caudal: 47 - 56
lnfralabial: 9 - 10
Supralabial: 7 - 8
Analplate: Single
for a MBK (Lampropeltis getula nigritus)

[earthpig23]

I would bet money its a mexican black king.

[basuca]

WOW thats a nice snake!! your lucky woman...

[MrsWTownsend]

What a great pick up Jenea! Just gorgeous, even in blue!!!

[anendeloflorien]

He's a beauty there Jenea! Looks like an MBK to me also but I don't really know enough about them to say for sure. Looks like Sara got you pretty well covered though with the scale count stuff.

[kenster]

Jenea I can tell you that I am 1000000000000% sure he is a snake!!:boink:

My guess would also be a MBK looks just like the girl I have here

[AneesasMuse]

I looked at a King and Milk book, yesterday ..and the pics it had of black Milks ...all of them had undertones of the bands. A few pics of the MBK had speckles like yours ..and a few I've seen.... so short of the scalation, even at my novice status ....I'd say MBK, still.

Of course, you can send it to me and I'll take a closer look :whistle:

[Bigheinzer]

it's a cobra drop it

[FloridaHogs]

it's a cobra drop it
Dan, you're a goofball! :nod: