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View Poll Results: What type of subcaudal (tail) scales does your Mexican Black Kingsnake have?

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  • Divided

    0 0%
  • Whole

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  • Combination of divided and whole

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Results 1 to 9 of 9
  1. #1
    Registered User blackbear123's Avatar
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    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.

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran Ax01's Avatar
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    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.
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  3. #3
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    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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  4. #4
    BPnet Royalty John1982's Avatar
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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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  6. #5
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    Quote Originally Posted by Zincubus View Post
    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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  7. #6
    BPnet Royalty John1982's Avatar
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    Quote Originally Posted by Zincubus View Post
    Anyone any thoughts on the charcoal black snake shed above ??
    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.

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  9. #7
    BPnet Royalty Zincubus's Avatar
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    Interesting, thank you !


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  10. #8
    BPnet Veteran Prognathodon's Avatar
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    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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  12. #9
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    Re: Mexican Black Kingsnake Subcaudal Scales

    Thanks for the info !


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