Speckled kings are a species Vanan sought for quite a while before obtaining a trio through the states. This girl down below is the last of those three, kept b/c she was the best looking of the lot. When Vanan put her up for sale, we were both surprised that no one inquired after her. A year before Dean Goodie in NB had mentioned that he would have liked her, but shipping is quite killer. Anyhow, Vanan and I keep seperate collections, as in, his snakes are as foreign to me as the next guys. Sometimes we get together and show off our snakes to each other to see how much they've grown, temperament changes, etc. It's like having our own reptile show!
Anyhow, I asked to see the snakes that he was selling and when he pulled out this beauty, I was like WOW. It's like a diamond python, but in a colubrid body. This female is highly speckled with just a nice tinge of yellow to the speckles. However, she had a bit of an attitude and that does turn me off. Over the course of a day or so, I couldn't get the little girl out of my mind, so Vanan and I worked something out, so I could get this snake. Seeing her, I just can't believe that NOBODY showed any sign of wanting her.
It's amazes and saddens me to see awesome species for sale, and not sell, but ball pythons which are as common as dirt, sell quick. Doesn't say much for our Canadian market. I only hope that once the boid-money making thing wears off, people will find beauty in the small, beautiful and "cheap".
I commend people like Roy, who does breed small and beautiful, Jordan, who keeps the strange, Lowell Shaw, who breeds, gorgeous and delicate species, Tim Cranwill, Classic, Marisa, vanderkm all of which are Lampro lovers and aren't afraid to show it! Simon S (tigers, cavers, oh my!, Simon F (corn king diadem rats) and to all of those who keep small, over looked, and low cost species.
Anyhow, enough of my tirade. Here's Estrella!
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137estrella-med.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137estrellaside-med.jpg">
<img src="http://www.ssnakess.com/photopost/data/500/137estrella2-med.jpg">
All those speckles on her body boggle the mind. There are many speckles which show faint banding as their nearest relative is the desert king, but some speckles have very even speckles. They are small kings, don't get much bigger than four feet. Not often seen, but I believe Lisa has a speckled female somewhere out there (which Vanan was jealous of for quite some time).
Just to be clear, I do like boids, I have owned boids in the past, mostly Erycines, but some big 'uns too, but I am most certifiably a colubrid lover. They really capture my heart with their beauty and intelligence.
As for the rest of you, you missed out on this beautiful gem! But never fear, I'll post pics for you!
Threaded Mode