NATURALLY OCCURRING ABERRATIONS IN THE CALIFORNIA KINGSNAKE (Lampropeltis getula californiae) - A PHOTO ESSAY
By
Brian Hubbs
There are two (2) 'normal' phases of the California King Snake (Lampropeltis getula californiae); the Banded Phase and the Striped Phase. However, in addition to these two 'normal' variations there are over seventy (70) other naturally occurring aberrant pattern variations of this species. These are all morphs that occur in the wild, as opposed to being so-called designer morphs that are created by captive breeding programs.
Below are eight (8) examples of these naturally occurring aberrant morphs.
A Lampropeltis getula californiae with an unusually high band count. This specimen with 47 bands is from Los Angeles Co., California Photo by Brian Hubbs
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A 'Burgundy Banded' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiae from Los Angeles Co., California Photo by Brian Hubbs
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A 'Hyper-melanistic Banded' Lampropeltis getula californiae from Long Beach, in Los Angeles Co., Ca. Photo by Brian Hubbs
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This 'Eiseni' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiae which has a black belly is from Fresno Co., California Photo by Brian Hubbs
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A 'Delta Banded Black-Bellied' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiae from San Joaquin Co., Ca. Photo by Brian Hubbs
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A 'Speckled Eiseni' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiae from Fresno Co., California Photo by Brian Hubbs
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A 'Newport-Long Beach Mud' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiaefrom Los Angeles Co., Ca. Photo by Brian Hubbs
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This 'Unicolor' morph of Lampropeltis getula californiae is from Los Angeles Co., California Photo by Brian Hubbs
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Date submitted 01/19/08
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