Search found 33 matches

by Mitchell Mulks
March 29th, 2013, 10:13 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Striped gopher snake from today
Replies: 21
Views: 8016

Re: Striped gopher snake from today

Snakemastermyke, The striped form of the pacific gophers is a dominantly inherited trait. Animals with only a single gene will be phenotypically stripe. Where they're locally abundant it appears that about 40% of the population is striped. The young ones always look amazing, but they tend to dull ou...
by Mitchell Mulks
February 22nd, 2012, 10:25 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Masticophis flagellum in Santa Cruz county, CA.?
Replies: 22
Views: 3203

Re: Masticophis flagellum in Santa Cruz county, CA.?

Hi there everyone, It's funny, this question seems to come up every other year or so. As Jeff said, the Felton reference is simply an error in locality reporting. I've been conducting my own research in Zayante for over a decade now, in the only habitat in the San Lorenzo Valley that someone would c...
by Mitchell Mulks
September 5th, 2011, 8:23 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Hello everyone, Well, after reading the last eight or so posts it appears that several of you are extremely upset that your PM's were not responded to. I'll be very honest with you, I responded to the first ten to fifteen, but then I simply couldn't find the time to explain or respond to the rest. I...
by Mitchell Mulks
June 27th, 2011, 9:31 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Hello again, I just wanted to say that out-of-staters don't need to get a permit from DFG. It's only California residents that need the permit if they ever want to have more than a single snake. However, as I said above, out-of-staters still have to adhere to the regulations written into the permit....
by Mitchell Mulks
June 27th, 2011, 2:34 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Hello everyone, I just wanted to give you updates on where I am in the hatching process and to answer a few questions. First, you have to actually call the license and revenue department of DF&G and ask for them to mail you a permit application. They don't offer the permit online for download, a...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 11th, 2011, 1:16 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!
Replies: 249
Views: 56432

Re: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!

Wow, I really can't believe that this has come to this. The point of a range extension is to validate the presence of a species in an area it was once unknown from. Paul asked me to write the herp note. I was very careful in asking him detailed information regarding the finds of all seven of his NV ...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 10th, 2011, 10:37 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Joseph, I second Paul's sentiment that it shouldn't be an issue finding a snake for you considering how you're going to use it. If my hatchlings can be used to educate future herpers, well then that's incredible! ALSO, Rick Staub and myself just finished filming the video short that Scott is putting...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 4th, 2011, 11:53 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Paul, You're intentions weren't misunderstood at all, and I read no insinuations on your part. This project has been underway for more than half a decade now, but now with the involvement of other zonata enthusiasts we can realistically make some really constructive headway towards devaluing zonata ...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 4th, 2011, 11:11 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Paul, That's a good question. It's a question that doesn't have a secret answer. I've disclosed to all why myself, Rick Staub, and several others are gifting zonata. I've been gifting zonata since 2004 - with now over 450 gifted zonata. Finally though I have the ability and resources to really intro...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 4th, 2011, 12:20 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Jeff, That's hilarious!!! I tell everyone that for the first five years or so during my attempts to find zonata Stebbins was to blame! His field guide said they inhabited "cool, moist canyons". I was always looking in redwood canyons in the dark, under logs! Hahaha. I disturbed my fair sha...
by Mitchell Mulks
April 3rd, 2011, 11:06 am
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Hey all, I also want to make it clear to everyone that not all the hatchlings will be eating on their own. As a CA resident I have 40 days to gift any animals that will put me over my limit. Those are the rules I have to follow that have been set down by Fish & Game. HOWEVER, there are a myriad ...
by Mitchell Mulks
March 28th, 2011, 4:52 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

Re: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings

Hey all, Thanks for the compliments regarding our critters. It's a sad day when you realize your snakes are better looking than yourself....but I'll take it! Anyhow, I wanted to thank Rick for adding that important bit of information regarding both of our stance on the pressures of field collecting....
by Mitchell Mulks
March 28th, 2011, 2:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!
Replies: 249
Views: 56432

Re: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!

ACK!

What camera he used should be no match to your Martian death lenses! Haha. Knowing Paul it was a crappy point-and-shoot...seeing as photos equal time removed from herping (or drinking beer!).

Hubbsy, it took you until page 4 to make your first post?! Are you feeling okay? ;)

Mitch
by Mitchell Mulks
March 28th, 2011, 9:27 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!
Replies: 249
Views: 56432

Re: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!

Well, I think it's pretty obvious that there are believers, skeptics, and those on the fence. Wonderful, that's how everything is in life. Until another boa is found in the Newberry mountains by another herper (or government biologist, for those who would prefer) we won't have much more to go on her...
by Mitchell Mulks
March 27th, 2011, 11:32 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!
Replies: 249
Views: 56432

Re: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!

I would also appreciate you verifying wether or not Carol L. Spencer was with you at the time of this voucher. ACK!, I'm the person who wrote the herp note for Paul. Carol L. Spencer is the curator of reptile and amphibian specimens at the MVZ. After Paul transferred the specimen into my possession...
by Mitchell Mulks
March 27th, 2011, 5:31 pm
Forum: Herpetoculture Forum
Topic: 2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)
Replies: 128
Views: 130720

2011 zonata pairings (discussion about GIFTED hatchlings)

Hello everyone, This forum is incredible and is viewed by many each day. I thought this would be the perfect place to share with you some of my favorite pairings so far this spring. First, I am a resident of California, but am allowed to keep up to a maximum of 30 captive-bred zonata because of my n...
by Mitchell Mulks
March 27th, 2011, 12:27 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild caught albinos???
Replies: 264
Views: 115038

Re: Wild caught albinos???

Actually, they do start out as tricolors. However, the red pigmentation is replaced with a lavender/grey at birth. As they mature, females almost always become completely bicolor while males tend to hold onto part of the lavender/grey banding. The locale of this population is, well, HIGHLY secretive...
by Mitchell Mulks
March 26th, 2011, 10:08 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!
Replies: 249
Views: 56432

Re: Nevada Rosy Boa...It's official!

Hey all, I just thought I'd chime in, seeing as how I JUST found this thread! I'll tell you all, if this range extension were ever proved to be bogus, I would be the first in line to eviscerate Mr. Lynum. However, I've known Paul for years now, and I trust him completely that he would not lead me no...
by Mitchell Mulks
December 31st, 2010, 1:01 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild caught albinos???
Replies: 264
Views: 115038

Re: Wild caught albinos???

Sorry guys but I simply can't help myself,,,,,BUT, there are NO leucistic Baird's. There are a ton of leucistic black rats but that morph does not yet exist in Baird's lines.

Mitch
by Mitchell Mulks
December 28th, 2010, 3:36 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild caught albinos???
Replies: 264
Views: 115038

Re: Wild caught albinos???

With respect to the reclassification of zonata...Collins did so against the recommendation of the authors of the paper he cites as the main reference to his taxonomic changes! Rodriguez-Robles et. al., 1999 recommended that although the current taxonomy of zonata has some serious issues and does not...
by Mitchell Mulks
December 25th, 2010, 11:50 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild caught albinos???
Replies: 264
Views: 115038

Natalie and others...

California DFG only really looks at the red/pink eye coloration. They do not expect the snake to be solid white, as generally only leucistic animals are pure white. They simply refer to eye color. This is why t+ albinos won't cut it because they generally have pigmentation in the eye. This is also w...
by Mitchell Mulks
August 11th, 2010, 8:11 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opinions on this gopher's genetics
Replies: 10
Views: 2048

Re: Opinions on this gopher's genetics

Yes, the stripe gene in gophers is dominant. I have a friend who recently bred a normal albino to a striped female and got all striped. It was at that time that we both realized his female is homozygous for the stripe gene and will never throw anything but stripe morphs. My gopher looks more albino ...
by Mitchell Mulks
August 11th, 2010, 6:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Opinions on this gopher's genetics
Replies: 10
Views: 2048

Opinions on this gopher's genetics

Hey all, This is a female Pacific gopher snake that was collected in California's great valley. I have always thought it to be a hypo, but lately I'm not sure if it's a t+ albino...or something else. Any thoughts regarding her genetic make-up would be appreciated. She laid her first clutch this year...
by Mitchell Mulks
July 22nd, 2010, 2:21 am
Forum: The Forum
Topic: lampropeltis species name questions
Replies: 7
Views: 1875

Re: lampropeltis species name questions

Both double-z's and multicincta are the same animal, therefore, if there were to be any taxonomic revisions the oldest subspecies name would be used to classify both their ranges and the imaginary intergrade zone between them. I believe they would all become L. z. zonata. As for the Diablo range zon...
by Mitchell Mulks
July 21st, 2010, 10:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: lampropeltis species name questions
Replies: 7
Views: 1875

Re: lampropeltis species name questions

FRes, I agree with you that that is too large of an integrade zone. Seeing as how the 1999 study showed that zonata zonata and multicincta are the same animal, you really aren't looking at any kind of an intergrade zone. Also, mtDNA has shown that the northern agalma (Juarez) are pretty much identic...
by Mitchell Mulks
July 21st, 2010, 8:39 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: lampropeltis species name questions
Replies: 7
Views: 1875

Re: lampropeltis species name questions

Actually, zonata shouldn't be considered a single species with no subspecies. It was recommended by Rodriguez-Robles et. al (1999) that the taxonomic structuring of zonata be changed from it's current status, HOWEVER, they recommended that that not occur until further research either validated or re...
by Mitchell Mulks
July 6th, 2010, 11:29 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Wild caught albinos???
Replies: 264
Views: 115038

Re: Wild caught albinos???

Jeff, Below are several photos of Chionactis I found last year. I've driven this road in Imperial Co. for the last 15 years, have seen hundreds of Chios, but have only ever seen one like this 'anery' morph. I think it's a true anery...but let me know what you think. http://i70.photobucket.com/albums...
by Mitchell Mulks
June 23rd, 2010, 1:19 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Displaying Skins (a kind of "Herp Art"!)
Replies: 16
Views: 4121

Re: Displaying Skins (a kind of "Herp Art"!)

That second one is masterfully done! I'd hang that anywhere in my house (however my wife might disagree!!).

Mitch
by Mitchell Mulks
June 17th, 2010, 10:48 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Zilicious
Replies: 49
Views: 22538

Re: Zilicious

Nick,

That Tuolumne animal is a stunner! It's pattern reminds me a lot of some of the Bass Lake critters and even some Kern Co. snakes. Send me a pm, I'd like to catch up.

Mitch
by Mitchell Mulks
June 17th, 2010, 10:42 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Zilicious
Replies: 49
Views: 22538

Re: Zilicious

Zach, I'd wager a TON of money that that animal is a pulchra and that it was found in the Laguna Mountains. Multiple aberrant snakes from that population have been found over the years. It is a looker, but from years of breeding experiments, generally pattern abnormalities such as that are a result ...
by Mitchell Mulks
June 16th, 2010, 7:02 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Zilicious
Replies: 49
Views: 22538

Re: Zilicious

Ryan - The 1999 paper by Rodriguez-Robles et al. used mtDNA and found the Greenhorn Mtn populations to be an intergrade between multicincta and multifasciata. The animals in the Tehachapi's should be pure multifasciata, while I believe the animal you posted a photo of from Bear Mtn. would be an inte...
by Mitchell Mulks
June 16th, 2010, 2:26 pm
Forum: The Forum
Topic: Zilicious
Replies: 49
Views: 22538

Yeah, yeah, here's mine...

Well, Rick did what I was thinking of doing a couple weeks ago. Great thread Rick! I've finally found the time to post up some photos, so here's what I have to offer right now. Some are field photos, while others are in-studio shots. Hope you all enjoy! Field Shots: Coast Mountain Kingsnake ( Lampro...