Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri
Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri in the melanistic phase
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lampropeltis
Species:
L. mexicana
Subspecies:
L. m. thayeri
Trinomial name
Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri

Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri, currently known as lampropeltis leonis, or Nuevo León kingsnake, variable kingsnake, or Thayer's kingsnake, is a nonvenomous snake belonging to the family Colubridae.[2][3] Thayer's kingsnake is a subspecies of the mexicana group of the genus Lampropeltis.[2] Thayer's kingsnake is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2] Thayer's kingsnake is known for producing offspring typically displaying three[lower-alpha 1] main variable phases within the same clutch from similar-coloured patterned parents.[4][2][5]

Appearance

The dorsal body scales of Thayer's kingsnake are primarily either red and black or solid black although their scale color patterns are highly variable.[6]

Range

Thayer's kingsnake is found on the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2]

Behavior

The behaviour of Thayer's kingsnake is similar to many of the other kingsnake species. Thayer's kingsnake is typically non-aggressive[2] and reclusive and does well in captivity. Thayer's kingsnake requires a hiding place at all times and often prefers to hide in such.[2]

Diet

Thayer's kingsnake kills its prey by constriction and prefers a diet of lizards in the wild although they have been known to feed on rodents, frogs and other snakes.[2] In captivity, Thayer's kingsnakes can be weaned onto rodents as their main food source.

Reproduction

Thayer's kingsnakes are oviparous typically laying between six–14 eggs up to twice per year.[7] Like many other colubrids, Thayer's kingsnakes usually mate in early spring following a winter cooling period.

Notes

  1. ↑ The fourth phase, "melanistic" or "black", is uncommon but may appear in a clutch.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Lampropeltis mexicana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 October 2013.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Cherry, John. "Thayer's Kingsnake". kingsnake.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  3. ↑ Wrobel, Murray (2004). Elsevier's Dictionary of Reptiles. Elsevier, 2004. p. 758. ISBN 9780080459202.
  4. 1 2 Wallis, Andrew. "The Thayer's or Variable kingsnake", Blue Lizard Reptiles. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  5. ↑ Applegate, Bob. "Thayer's Kingsnake". Applegate Reptiles. Archived from the original on 1 November 2000. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
  6. ↑ Gehlbach, Frederick R. (1967). "Lampropeltis mexicana". Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles (PDF). pp. 55.1–55.2. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  7. ↑ Wallis, Andrew. "The Thayer's or Variable kingsnake". Retrieved 6 October 2013.
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