I never got so much into the scientific categorizing of snakes but if I'm not mistaken, you have just told me that science confirms my statement of their relationships. Thanks Stefan. Everyone likes to feel like they are "right" sometimes.

At the same time, you're saying that Pituophis (gopher, bull, pine snakes) are closely related to King and milk snakes? (Lampropeltis)

Fascinating. I really didn't know that, even though I have kept members of both groups. What blows me away is that wild-caught adult CA king snakes I have kept (striped and ringed phases) were much better adapted and better tempered than any captive bred pet store individuals I have kept or encountered. I never understood why. Still don't.