floridana vs brooksi

[Thade]

Can anyone tell me the difference between lampropeltis getula brooksi and L. G. floridana? Is this another one of those "We changed the scientific name just to confuse the masses" type things? Or is there really a difference?

Thade
[addsig]

I doubt there is really any difference on the surface (other than color). To me, this is like calling the Canebrake a subspecies of the Timber rattlesnake....I think a lot of this type of stuff stems from the snakes being named before DNA analysis was readily (and fairly cheaply) available...
[addsig]

[JuliusSqueezer]

The canebrake/timber thing went back and forth for quite awhile confusing and stirring debates all over...but there is another difference besides the little red dorsal stripe on the canes...they have a different jaw and skull structure and are now both recognized with their own special latin name etched in stone forever....anyway....brooksi florida kings are not a recognized subspecies. They are just sought after for the varied color phase of more distinct striping and added yellow background. L. g. floridana applies to both snakes... L. g. Brooksi is however still widely used in the pet trade....a better comparison would be okeetee cornsnakes... Same snake ...just locale specific coloration.