Is this an MBK?

[Minkness]

Cruising CL as I usually do, I came across this ad selling a yearling, male, MBK. In the ad it specifically stated that the snake was NOT a 'common black kingsnake'. Now, I may be no expert, but to my understanding, MBKs are not born with a black and yellow 'chain' pattern. So, someone please enlighten me on this subject. The photo below is of the animal the man is asking 100$ for.

[Sylphie]

Uhh I'm not a specialist and big fan of milk/king snakes, but that one definitely doesn't look like MBK. Maybe some type of hybrid?

[SnoopySnake]

Its a common black kingsnake lol. But you're looking at snakes again? ;)

[trailblazer295]

Its a common black kingsnake lol. But you're looking at snakes again? ;)

Again? She never stopped lol

[Minkness]

Nope, I don't stop lol.

Also, I contacted the guy that the poster said bred the snake, and he said that while 'some' MBKs may come out like that, almost all of his that he's produced has come out jet black as hatchlings, and even advised me to not spend my money on an 'unknown' snake like that lol.

Oh yeah, and when I messaged the poster about it not looking like an MBK, he had a VERY rude response and called the suposed breeder out by name. So...if I say I know Brad Pit....does that mean I'm Angelina Jolie? Lol (silly comparison I know, but made me laugh when I thought about it.

For those curious, this is the rude response I got from the seller of this 'MBK'.

"Logan, thanks for the tip, but you are an idiot. I am 44 years old. I have been keeping and breeding snakes my entire life. I have owned and managed over a dozen exotic pet stores in the Nashville area alone. I DESIGNED the Aquatic Critter's reptile department, and then managed it for four years before opening my own store in Bellevue. Have you ever heard of Casey Lazik? He's a well-known "name" in the industry, and he fing BRED this snake. I own two of this snake's sisters, and they were almost jet-black as you describe when they were all hatchlings, and they did go on to blacken all the way. But you're an immature and arrogant buffoon if you think because you have ONE Mexican Black king you know how they ALL are because you're wrong. In my lifetime, I've kept literally HUNDREDS of Mexican Blacks, and I've also bred them. I also breed the Burmese Pythons and the dwarf boas you've been replying about on craigslist. So, it appears I know what the F I'm doing, and you obviously don't, so please don't you EVER reply to me and tell me someone "lied" to me and insinuate I'm a fool when it is you, Sir, who don't know enough about snake-keeping to be offering unsolicited advice."

(And btw, I have never inquired about Burmese python...ever...also, I censored his cussing for the forum bit otherwise this has been copy/pasted)

[Sylphie]

Huh, some people are just weird and they are having their own little world...

[TxScarlet15]

Correct me if I'm wrong, because I'm no expert either, but to me not only the coloration/pattern looks off but something about the head and neck area doesn't look like an MBK to me. And wow, what an incredibly childish and immature way to respond, I feel bad for anyone that does business with that guy. On another note though, I just got back from the Reptiday in Savannah, GA and one seller had a really nice, almost pristine black hatchling MBK. Saw quite a few other nice specimens while there.

[SnoopySnake]

Oh wow, someone's got a temper.

[Minkness]

I showed the photo to a friend through skype and this is what she came back with.

"Nitida pattern California King" - often confused with MBKs

[EL Ziggy]

Wow, what a hothead. I definitely wouldn't want to buy a snake from him. :)