MBK owners, what do you think?

[Susielea]

I was given this little one on Friday and I think she could be/probably is a Mexican Black Kingsnake. She has a little white/cream speckling laterally and ventrally, as you can see in the pics and if I look close enough in the closest of close ups, I can see teeny tiny feint little red-ish/orange-ish speckles on her dorsal too, that are not visible to my naked eye.

I've read several descriptions saying that MBK's sometimes have some speckling when young and that they usually lose that as they mature, but I haven't seen enough photos showing how much speckling there can be, for me to be confident in saying that she is an MBK.

She seems to be in blue at the moment, so probably not the best time for photos, but I was hoping you could offer your opinions as to whether you think she is or not?

Whatever she turns out to be she's a sweetie

 

[diamondlil]

She's lovely! My MBK (Pancho, RIP) had litle speckles at first.

 

[jlindp]

She looks like the MBK I had, but he didn't have as much speckling as yours, though yours doesn't have a lot my any means. I'd be pretty confident in calling her an MBK.

 

[Roy Munson]

She's beautiful. I think there's a decent chance that there's another getula subspecies in her makeup. I've had MBKs with some patterning, and she looks a little different from them. But I think she looks great! :cheers:

 

[whippet]

yep. Looks like a MBK to me too. Cute little wee snake!

 

[Jay@PJCReptiles]

Very nice.

She's beautiful. I think there's a decent chance that there's another getula subspecies in her makeup. I've had MBKs with some patterning, and she looks a little different from them. But I think she looks great! :cheers:

I think Dean may be right and there might be influences from another subspecies. We hatched out a clutch this past season and some had the white speckling/patterning that yours shows and they were the product of completely black parents but there is something a little different with yours. Yours might be exhibiting influences from a splendida. They naturally cross breed in the wild and tend to exhibit a whiteish/yellowish pattern. Maybe that could be what's going on. Either way, very nice pick-up you got there.

Jay

 

[Susielea]

Very nice.

She's beautiful. I think there's a decent chance that there's another getula subspecies in her makeup. I've had MBKs with some patterning, and she looks a little different from them. But I think she looks great! :cheers:

I think Dean may be right and there might be influences from another subspecies. We hatched out a clutch this past season and some had the white speckling/patterning that yours shows and they were the product of completely black parents but there is something a little different with yours. Yours might be exhibiting influences from a splendida. They naturally cross breed in the wild and tend to exhibit a whiteish/yellowish pattern. Maybe that could be what's going on. Either way, very nice pick-up you got there.

Jay

So splendida would be the most likely extra additive in your opinion Jay? You know, this could make sense because a couple of times when I've looked at her, I thought I could see very, very feint bands across her dorsal in certain light and other times I just can't see it :nope:

So if she's not full MBK, that means I can't become a member of your club can I? or can I?

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

 

[Jay@PJCReptiles]

So splendida would be the most likely extra additive in your opinion Jay? You know, this could make sense because a couple of times when I've looked at her, I thought I could see very, very feint bands across her dorsal in certain light and other times I just can't see it :nope:

That is what I would think it would be in my opinion as it does happen quite frequently in the wild.

So if she's not full MBK, that means I can't become a member of your club can I? or can I?

Thanks for the compliments everyone!

I never said that. By the looks of him he is definitely an MBK but who knows how much. I would say a lot. So here ya go. Your official welcome to the MBK Club. Here's your banner................

Feel free to post away and welcome to the club..................

"MBK CLUB"​

Jay

 

[Susielea]

That is what I would think it would be in my opinion as it does happen quite frequently in the wild.


I never said that. By the looks of him he is definitely an MBK but who knows how much. I would say a lot. So here ya go. Your official welcome to the MBK Club. Here's your banner................

Feel free to post away and welcome to the club..................

"MBK CLUB"​

Jay

Aww shucks! You know how to make a girl feel all warm and fuzzy, don't you?! Thank you very much!

All I need now is to get her sexed (Yeah I know, I've just been guessing because of the tapering tail) and find her/him a name........

 

[Susielea]

She's lovely! My MBK (Pancho, RIP) had litle speckles at first.

Thank you! I didn't know you had a MBK, sorry to hear he's no longer with us

She looks like the MBK I had, but he didn't have as much speckling as yours, though yours doesn't have a lot my any means. I'd be pretty confident in calling her an MBK.

yep. Looks like a MBK to me too. Cute little wee snake!

Thank you both too!

 

[RavenSpirit360]

She's very pretty!!! Great gift