Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

I've been looking at various photos online and have found photos of Mexican Black Kingsnakes (Lampropeltis getula nigrita) both with a full set of divided subcaudal scales and with a mixture of divided and single subcaudal scales. I can't seem to find any scientific documents stating the type of sub-caudals wild type specimens possess (they just include the number). I thought it would be interesting to see if keepers have noted any specific type of subcaudal scales in their collection and to start a discussion on the difference.

i kept forgetting to do this. i finally inspected my year old 0.1 MBK last night. she has a mix of both. i counted 7 whole subcaudal scales below her vent before they split and remained that way all the way to the to the tip of her tail. :gj:

One thing I have noticed and maybe it's something that is well known to everyone BUT me :)

My Mexican Black's shedded skin are always charcoal grey / black !?!!

Mine is kept on light coloured chippings ( Beechwood -I think ).

All my other snakes are white shed-skins ( coming off white , orange , green , red snakes etc )


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Scale abnormalities, such as the single scale subcaudals where they're typically divided, can be a sign of inbreeding. I know in the Drymarchon genus, a single related pairing can often result in such abnormalities. A few hiccups here and there, especially post vent, isn't really something to get worried about though. As long as you're not seeing "zipper" ventrals and a bunch of single scale caudals, I wouldn't sweat it.

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

One thing I have noticed and maybe it's something that is well known to everyone BUT me :)

My Mexican Black's shedded skin are always charcoal grey / black !?!!

Mine is kept on light coloured chippings ( Beechwood -I think ).

All my other snakes are white shed-skins ( coming off white , orange , green , red snakes etc )


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Anyone any thoughts on the charcoal black snake shed above ??




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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Zincubus

Anyone any thoughts on the charcoal black snake shed above ??

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I'm not sure on the mechanics of the thing but some species just shed dark. Out of all my snakes, and I keep a few dark/solid colored serpents, the black pines are my only ones with the charcoal/block sheds.

Interesting, thank you !


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Our MBK sheds dark, and the snakes with bold patterns shed patterned. I suspect they all shed patterned, but it only shows in the shed of the really bold patterns.


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Thanks for the info !


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