Yellow on MBK

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 07:14 AM

So, my MBK has quite a bit of yellow in him, and some of it is pretty bright. Also, his eyes are more of a dark dark brown and not black either. And the 'black' of his body is nore like a blackbrown mix.

Will he for sure turn all black as an adult?

He's only a juvie right now. A great feeder, good sheds so far, pretty active and usually out in the open while he was in a tub. I moved him to a tank last night and he did alot of cruising and settled to lay on top of his hides instead of un them. Hasn't bitten or busked and I don't think I have even seen a tail rattle out of him yet....over all he's a pretty neat snake to have....but the yellow kinda bothers me....does that make a bad person? ;-;

SWDK · 08-13-16, 07:19 AM

I don't think it will turn black, but I'm not 100% certain on that. The only MBK's I've seen are jet black throughout from hatchlings to adults. My MBK was a 12" hatching and it was 100% black. I've also only seen all black ones at the reptile shows as well. You mix be integrated with something to get that type of coloration.

Albert Clark · 08-13-16, 07:30 AM

Mink , I think you have a desert kingsnake there. Lampropeltis getula splendida. I could be wrong though.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 07:32 AM

That had been my experience as well until this guy. I got into with a guy a while back through craigslist about yellow on an MBK (for all I know it's the same snake that's changed hands a few times) and he swore that MBKs 'originated' from desert kings or something and swore they turned all black as they aged and that I no clue what I was talking about.

And maybe I didn't, but this 'MBK' just seems suspicious, and if you saw him in peraon you'd see the deserrt king influences because his head is the blackest part of him. Very weird little snake.

Edit: Posted same time as Albert lol. But I have to agree. Seems more desert. He definitely has the grey rainbow belly of an MBK though, so he's probably a mix.

Albert Clark · 08-13-16, 07:43 AM

He's still a very nice looking specimen! Certainly could be a intergrade. And if he is, he may get more black as he ages. Time will tell. Maybe the locale he's from influenced the coloration difference.

**EL Ziggy** · 08-13-16, 08:00 AM

I'm inclined to agree with you guys. He looks like a desert king or intergrade to me as well.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 08:09 AM

Got sunlight pics just now. He's actually way prettier in the sun!

Albert Clark · 08-13-16, 08:25 AM

Amazing animal! I still think desert King is the more likely genetics.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 08:30 AM

Do you think he may be a melanistic desert?

**Andy_G** · 08-13-16, 10:18 AM

I'm certain that is in fact an integrade as I previously proposed, Logan.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 10:28 AM

Haha. Thanks Andy. Where did you propose that though? When I first gor him?

**Andy_G** · 08-13-16, 10:33 AM

Yeah I mentioned the possibility I think. I've seen quite a few of them like this with other breeders.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 10:51 AM

Well, good thing I didn't pay for him then lol. I still kinda like him thiugh. Kinda different and wild looking haha.

Albert Clark · 08-13-16, 12:34 PM

If you breed him back to a MBK female you should be able to hatch out a clutch of 50%MBK and 50% desert king. Or at least be able to see his true genetics.

**Minkness** · 08-13-16, 02:13 PM

Yeah, but I don't want to breed kings lol.