New Brooks King

[Rapture]

ok so are floridana and brooksi two separate subspecies? I need to do some research...

[Brandon Osborne]

No, they are the same. They used to have sub-specific status, but it was changed around 15-20 years ago. The name brooksi is overused by most dealers, and keepers for that matter. True brooksi come from the canals in south Dade County, although there are plenty of bright/light color animals found all over. They are the same but different....if that makes sense.

Brandon

[cassandra]

Cool snakies, guys! Anyone have any pics of their white side they can share? I was drooling over some babies at BHB's booth at NARBC Anaheim yesterday...so nifty. =)

[Rapture]

No, they are the same. They used to have sub-specific status, but it was changed around 15-20 years ago. The name brooksi is overused by most dealers, and keepers for that matter. True brooksi come from the canals in south Dade County, although there are plenty of bright/light color animals found all over. They are the same but different....if that makes sense.

Brandon

So what do you think would be the most correct thing for me to call this snake and what is its genus and species name? Thanks

[Brandon Osborne]

Diana, the most correct term would be Florida king, or lampropeltis getula floridana. Floridana are floridana, and brooksi are floridana. lol. Does that make any better sense. I could go on, but it really doesn't matter much anymore. Enjoy your king and grow him/her big.....they have great potential. I've had a couple near 6' and thicker than a Redbull can. If you ever have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll do my best to help.

Brandon

[Rapture]

So it's like Columbian vs Central American BCI... something along those lines? Ball pythons are so simple..... no one really working with different locality types that look different from each other... no subspecies... haha. I'm still working on learning all the Boa constrictor subspecies and localities for each, and morphs for each... just haven't gotten into the kings yet but now that I have one it's something I'll have to do.