How about some kingsnake spam?

[Brian Hubbs]

As some of you might be aware, I recently published my "opus" natural history of Common Kingsnakes. The book can be viewed and ordered at:
www.mountainkingsnake.com (http://www.mountainkingsnake.com) along with my other two titles. Take a look, I don't spam here very much...:)

[drache]

looks like a cool book
is it possible that I saw it at a seller's table at an expo?

[Brian Hubbs]

probably...there's several people selling it at shows.

[ConcinusMan]

That's it. You're banned. No spam allowed here, Mr! (JK) :p

I find it interesting that you chose to focus on Kingsnakes, and another book on rattlesnakes.

What would be your guess on the species if I went into a crawlspace in urban San Diego, about 3 miles from the coast, 3 miles north of the Mexican border and found little rattlesnakes, none more than 2 feet long, only one or two buttons, and were docile as can be. I'm talking downright tame even at 85 degrees. Downright pleasant rattlesnakes that never bite or get defensive. they were brick red with sort of a diamond shape on their backs. Only place I've ever seen them was coastal san diego. To this day, I still don't know what kind of rattler fits the description. So confident was I, of their docile nature, the cable guy refused to go under there. I said don't worry, I'll do it. gimmie that cable. I gently and with respect, moved the snakes aside and ran that cable to the hole in our living room floor. I told the guy those rattlers were tame but he didn't believe me. Sometimes I would carry them around and show them off. People always reacted negatively. OMG! it's a rattler! it's venemous! I wasn't worried. Never got bit or even a defensive response at all. Worst I ever got was from a large gopher snake. Now with those, I was cautious. They could tear you up. Damn navy housing inspectors exterminated all of them. the following year, we got infested with mice. go figure.

[GarterGeek]

They look interesting! How long did it take for you to research and write it? How did you research for it? :)

What is the name of the kingsnake on the cover of the book "Common Kingsnakes!?" I bought a kingsnake last year at PetSmart that looks almost identical! At the store they had a false label, I've been trying to identify the snake since...Is it an Appalachicola? (getula goini, also known as getula meansi?)

[ConcinusMan]

I believe it's one morph of a desert king. Not too uncommon. I found one in Arizona or NM if I remember right. somewhere in the SW, I don't remember. It was years ago.

[Brian Hubbs]

Red Diamond Rattlesnake, yes, very non-aggressive.
Apalachicola Kingsnake (L. g. "goini") is the big picture on the cover of the book.
I researched the book by hunting for kingsnakes for about 25 years, and searching every publication I could find for data. It took four and a half years to write the common kingsnake book.

I wrote the rattlesnake guide to fill a nitch that would appeal to the general public.

[ConcinusMan]

I would have sworn it was a desert king, but they're highly variable.


Red Diamond Rattlesnake (Crotalus ruber ruber) That's gotta be it. Those are the one's I used to just pick up and carry around. Never found one over 2 feet long though. Never found any other rattlesnake in San Diego either. Ticked me off when those Govt. A-holes just ruthlessly killed them all. Those snakes weren't hurting anyone unless you happen to be a house mouse. They even inadvertently killed a few CA kings along with them. Gassed them all and let God sort 'em out.

http://poway.org/Modules/ShowImage.aspx?imageid=519

[Brian Hubbs]

Yep, nobody appreciates snakes, not even in these enlightened times...BTW, I saw 4 Cal Kings in L.A. county over Xmas week (last one today, the 28th).

Here's one from the 23rd, a Newport-Long Beach typical striped morph:
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z279/TricolorBrian/DSC04657.jpg

[guidofatherof5]

Yep, nobody appreciates snakes, not even in these enlightened times...BTW, I saw 4 Cal Kings in L.A. county over Xmas week (last one today, the 28th).

Here's one from the 23rd, a Newport-Long Beach typical striped morph:
http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z279/TricolorBrian/DSC04657.jpg

Beautiful snake. I have the pleasure of caring for a female Gray-banded and it sounds like I've got a male coming this Spring. I'm very impressed with how docile mine is. A great hand feeder. Not that I feed her hands but that I use my hands to feed her:D

[Brian Hubbs]

Thanks. Those L.A. county striped morphs are not easy to find. The San Diego variety is much more common (in San Diego county, that is). Is it cold in radixville? I used to live in Blair, NE in the late 70s...I know what cold is...

[guidofatherof5]

Thanks. Those L.A. county striped morphs are not easy to find. The San Diego variety is much more common (in San Diego county, that is). Is it cold in radixville? I used to live in Blair, NE in the late 70s...I know what cold is...

Next couple of days we get 0 degrees.
Blair, that's on my list for some radix recon this Spring.

[ConcinusMan]

Brrr!! That's friggen cold, even if you're cold-blooded! Holy moley!

[keelerskiddiecare]

I'll tell ya what cold is I live in Saskatchewan Canada and 1.5 wks ago we had a cold snap with temps that were -50 Celcius or -58 Farenhiet!!:eek: Now that will freeze the balls off of a Snow Man, let me tell ya!

[guidofatherof5]

I'll tell ya what cold is I live in Saskatchewan Canada and 1.5 wks ago we had a cold snap with temps that were -50 Celcius or -58 Farenhiet!!:eek: Now that will freeze the balls off of a Snow Man, let me tell ya!

Such a subtle description of what real cold is.:D

[Stefan-A]

I'll tell ya what cold is I live in Saskatchewan Canada and 1.5 wks ago we had a cold snap with temps that were -50 Celcius or -58 Farenhiet!!:eek: Now that will freeze the balls off of a Snow Man, let me tell ya!
Lived in a tent for two weeks at -47C.

[ConcinusMan]

Speaking of cold It just dropped about 8 degrees and it's snowing like heck in Portland, Oregon

[Brian Hubbs]

It's about 60 degrees here in Phoenix. I feel sorry for you guys...now where did I put my basketball and skateboard...hmmm...

[keelerskiddiecare]

Ok Stefan you win, I lived in my nice cozy house with my nice cozy furnace, fireplace, blankets, running hot water and the such in the -50!! You are CRAZY!!

[keelerskiddiecare]

Geeeez Steve Snowmen are made of 3 big round balls are they not??? Just what exactly did you think I was referring to??:eek:;)

[Stefan-A]

Ok Stefan you win, I lived in my nice cozy house with my nice cozy furnace, fireplace, blankets, running hot water and the such in the -50!! You are CRAZY!!
I was a conscript. :D

[drache]

I was a conscript. :D
crazy without choice

[Stefan-A]

crazy without choice
It was fun, though.

[drache]

some of the fun times of my life I would have never volunteered for
left me with a great appreciation for goose down and mylar
the mylar I still use in my brumation set-up, but the snakes get blue styrofoam insulation panels and damp moss instead of goose down