Sierra Mountain Kingsnake

[jitami]

I hope you guys don't mind me sharing the best part of my Mother's Day!

At the end of our wonderful day we ran across this beautiful little kingsnake (L.z. multicincta). It was, by far, the highlight of my mother's day. He was such a sweet little snake, too. Totally docile.

Steve, I was thinking of you...


My only sighting of a California Mountain Kingsnake (a species I have been looking for in the wild for years) was a roadkill in Siskiyou County (CA).

We moved him just as a truck was coming full speed from the other direction.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King2.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King3.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King6.jpg

And the hardest part... I was very tempted to bring him home... I was so in love... I swear, my heart ached for him as we were leaving... maybe I'll have to find a captive bred baby one of these days. Bye Bye little one... watch for trucks!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/jitami/Sly/King7.jpg

[gregmonsta]

Nice find :D

[prattypus]

That 4th pic looks like he's asking to come home.

[jitami]

That 4th pic looks like he's asking to come home.

I was wearing a black v-neck shirt and he kept heading for my shirt... leaving him was very difficult :) I just learned, too, that it's one of the few sub-species of zonata in Ca that is legal to collect and that they're not available captive bred. I knew that there were issues regarding collecting zonata, but didn't know the specifics and I'd hate to hurt an already dwindling population, so I let him be. Now I've got a wee bit of regret about not bringing him home, but I'm still happy that he's out there, hopefully making beautiful babies just like him. btw, I have no idea if it's a him or her... just picked one and went with it. I was thinking female until it musked me, and then thought the swelling there could have just been in preparation of giving me the "goo" LOL

Thanks Greg :)

[drache]

what a beauty - really nice find

[Snaky]

A very nice find, but I think you did good in letting him go :)
I also can not keep what I catch. But just catch & realease is already fun to do.

[jitami]

Thanks Rhea and Hans :)

[count dewclaw]

Very nice find. I, too, would have been tempted to keep it.

[Snake lover 3-25]

nice find:)

[jitami]

Thanks Shanley :)

[Sid]

That a beautiful King, Tami. Great find.

[snakeman]

sweet snake!