The common kingsnake,
Lampropeltis getula, was once a species that consisted of at least seven subspecies that, when considered as a group, ranged from coast to coast, from New Jersey to Florida in the east and from southern Oregon to the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula in the west.
These kingsnakes, although present in somewhat lessened numbers in places, still do this but now, based upon genetics rather than appearance and upon the disdain that geneticists have for trinomials, their nomenclature has changed. From old to new (if you choose to apply them, which I do not, LOL:
| Old Nomenclature | Common Name | New Nomenclature |
| Lampropeltis getula californiae | California Kingsnake | Lampropeltis californiae |
| Lampropeltis getula brooksi | South Florida King | Lampropeltis getula |
| Lampropeltis getula floridana | Peninsula King | Lampropeltis getula |
| Lampropeltis getula holbrooki | Speckled King | Lampropeltis holbrooki * |
| Lampropeltis getula getula | Eastern King | Lampropeltis getula |
| Lampropeltis getula nigra | Eastern Black King | Lampropeltis nigra |
| Lampropeltis getula nigrita | Mexican Black King | Lampropeltis californiae |
| Lampropeltis getula splendida | Desert King | Lampropeltis splendida |
*(but only west of the Mississippi River. Identically patterned individuals from east of the Mississippi are now L. nigra)
Formerly Brook's King,
L. g. brooksi. Now Eastern King,
L. getula:
More photos under the jump...Formerly
L. getula californiae; now
L. californiae:
Formerly Eastern King,
L. getula getula; remains Eastern King,
L. getula (no subspecific designation)
 Author, photographer, and columnist Richard Bartlett is one of the most prolific writers on herpetological subjects in the 20th century. With hundreds of books and articles to their credit, Richard and his wife Pat have spent over four decades documenting reptiles both in the field and in captivity. For a list of their current titles, please visit their page in our bookstore. |
