A new locale in collections. The original specimens were collected by a biologist around 2012. The female was already gravid. She laid 4 eggs. One pair was given to a friend of mine and the other pair was accidentally killed. I believe they were overheated if I'm remembering right. Some believe this to be a sort of dwarf race. So far adults are around 3 feet and babies are always exceptionally small.
The Yuma Morph. This was once thought to be its own subspecies: Lampropeltis getulus yumensis (Klauber 1838) It wasn't until the 1980's when it was classified as a CA kingsnake. This morph is very similar to the Long Beach hypermelanistic morph
Yuma (hypermelanistic) morph
A very pretty chocolate brown desert phase.
Another nice looking Yuma morph.
These next three from Nathan Smith, show the variation in the amount of dark
pigment in the light bands.
pigment in the light bands.
A Yuma found near Calipatria.
Near Calipatria
Brawley locale.
Dave said this one darkened up considerably more than its siblings after 2 years.
Brawley locale.
Brawley locale.
The next two photos are of a very dark Yuma morph. I recently found out this
individual was found by Vic Herrick. Also found near El Centro.
individual was found by Vic Herrick. Also found near El Centro.
Vic found two more Yuma's in June of 2012, who were also found near El Centro.
First is this very thin banded individual.
First is this very thin banded individual.
Also this male Yuma, which is the darkest I've seen. An incredible find, IMO. And
just like in the Long Beach hypermelanistic morph, the darkest ones are always males.
just like in the Long Beach hypermelanistic morph, the darkest ones are always males.
From Caliente CA. Looks half way between Coastal and Desert phase.
June 2006
Same as the snake above.
A nice brown and white banded king found in the Tehachapi Mountains.
Tejon Ranch
The next two photos are of a king found at 6,071' elevation by Brett Gaborko.
Found near Ridgecrest CA
From Southern Kern County.
Another nice one from the Western Mojave.
A very interesting looking king from Kern Co. CA. You might expect to see this
type of pattern in an intergrade zone but they are pure Cal kings where this is
from. Others with this pattern have been found in the same area as well. I these
the Western Mojave banded aberrant.
type of pattern in an intergrade zone but they are pure Cal kings where this is
from. Others with this pattern have been found in the same area as well. I these
the Western Mojave banded aberrant.
A pair collected from the same locale as the one in the first photo. As you can
see, one is aberrant like the first king.
see, one is aberrant like the first king.
This is the nicest Western Mojave banded aberrant I've seen.
Same as individual above.
Another great example of this morph.
These next few photos were provided by Matt G. who inspired me to
start a San Bernardino Co. section here.
start a San Bernardino Co. section here.
Next two are of the same king on the coastal slope of the San Bernardino
Mountains.
Mountains.
This one looks hypermelanistic and probably is. This is pretty far east
for them.
for them.
This is the first aberrant Cal king I know of from SB County. This is a partial
Barred morph. Probably from the extreme South West corner of the County.
Barred morph. Probably from the extreme South West corner of the County.
Another nice desert phase. This one was found near Barstow.
A DOR found at the Mojave National Preserve
An exceptional specimen from Pioneertown.
Two males in combat found in the Old Woman Mnts. east of 29 Palms.
A Desert phase from the Whipple Mountains.
Joshua tree
29 Palms
29 Palms mid June-2015.
29 Palms. Male is wild caught, female is f1
29 Palms offspring
This amazing looking specimen is from Yucca Valley and appears to be showing coastal influence.
A nice specimen from Santa Margarita.
In situ found under a rock! Amazing photo and find.
This one has a Scissors crossing type head pattern.
From Santa Maria.
A low band count from Santa Barbara, not exactly Northern CA. Fundad and
Mark Hilands found this one. This is one of my earliest photos taken back in
November 2005 at Marks house.
Mark Hilands found this one. This is one of my earliest photos taken back in
November 2005 at Marks house.
Found near Goleta CA.
A nice looking Coastal king Brad (AKA Monklet) found in his front yard.
Here is a king Mark Hilands found near Oxnard and gave to me years ago. This
snake had the richest yellow I had ever seen on a Cal king. Of coarse, the yellow
didn't show up well in these photographs.
snake had the richest yellow I had ever seen on a Cal king. Of coarse, the yellow
didn't show up well in these photographs.
Found near Camarillo.
This one has an interesting pattern on the head and neck.
A nice one found near Camarrio.
Awesome photo from Simi Valley.