The Mexican kingsnake is a smooth-skinned, slender, sub-cylindrical snake which is more flattened ventrally than most members of the genus Lampropeltis. It has a wide head, large eyes and a long tail.[3] Adults grow to a length of about 140–200 cm (55–79 in). This snake has broad red saddle-shaped markings, bordered with black and separated by cream, brown or pinkish bars. The sequence of colors does not vary but the proportions and shades of the color bands are quite variable. The nominate subspecies has distinctive red markings and intricate patterning on its head.[4] The species is known for sexual dichromatism, with the males being slightly more vividly colored than the females.[5]
Distribution and habitatedit
The Mexican kingsnake is endemic to northeastern Mexico. The nominate subspecies is found in the state of San Luis Potosí.[6] The typical habitat of this snake is rocky hillsides, valleys and deserts in mountainous regions[4] as well as woodlands, oak forests and grassy areas. Its altitudinal range is 1,300 to 2,400 m (4,265 to 7,874 ft) above sea level.[1]
Behavioredit
The Mexican kingsnake is a secretive, nocturnal species that is seldom seen, hiding under rocks and fallen trees by day. It feeds on reptiles, small mammals and amphibians, but its main prey is diurnal lizards. It is oviparous and lays a clutch of three to five eggs.[1][3]
Conservationedit
The IUCN has listed the Mexican kingsnake as being of "Least Concern". This is because it has a wide range and the population is presumed to be large and seems to be stable. It is sometimes misidentified as a venomous coral snake and killed by humans, but it otherwise faces no major threats.[1] Part of its range occurs within the confines of the state of Santa Rosa protected area.[1]
Referencesedit
^ abcdefVazquez Díaz, J.; Quintero Díaz, G.E. (2007). "Lampropeltis mexicana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63830A12720231. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63830A12720231.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
^ abLampropeltis mexicana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 October 2013.
^ abGehlbach, F. R.; Baker, J. K. (1962). "Kingsnakes allied with Lampropeltis mexicana: taxonomy and natural history" (PDF). Copeia. 2 (2): 291–300. doi:10.2307/1440893. JSTOR 1440893.
^Hanson, Robert; Salmon, Gerard (30 December 2017). "Distribution analysis, taxonomic updates, and conservation status of the Lampropeltis mexicana group" (PDF). Mesoamerican Herpetology. 4 (4): 700–758.
^Cherry, John. "Thayer's Kingsnake", kingsnake.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
December 20, 2023
lampropeltis, mexicana, mexican, kingsnake, colubrid, snake, that, endemic, mexico, greericonservation, statusleast, concern, iucn, scientific, classificationdomain, eukaryotakingdom, animaliaphylum, chordataclass, reptiliaorder, squamatasuborder, serpentesfam. Lampropeltis mexicana the Mexican kingsnake is a colubrid snake that is endemic to Mexico 1 2 Lampropeltis mexicanaLampropeltis mexicana greeriConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass ReptiliaOrder SquamataSuborder SerpentesFamily ColubridaeGenus LampropeltisSpecies L mexicanaBinomial nameLampropeltis mexicana Garman 1884 2 Contents 1 Description 2 Distribution and habitat 3 Behavior 4 Conservation 5 ReferencesDescription editThe Mexican kingsnake is a smooth skinned slender sub cylindrical snake which is more flattened ventrally than most members of the genus Lampropeltis It has a wide head large eyes and a long tail 3 Adults grow to a length of about 140 200 cm 55 79 in This snake has broad red saddle shaped markings bordered with black and separated by cream brown or pinkish bars The sequence of colors does not vary but the proportions and shades of the color bands are quite variable The nominate subspecies has distinctive red markings and intricate patterning on its head 4 The species is known for sexual dichromatism with the males being slightly more vividly colored than the females 5 Distribution and habitat editThe Mexican kingsnake is endemic to northeastern Mexico The nominate subspecies is found in the state of San Luis Potosi 6 The typical habitat of this snake is rocky hillsides valleys and deserts in mountainous regions 4 as well as woodlands oak forests and grassy areas Its altitudinal range is 1 300 to 2 400 m 4 265 to 7 874 ft above sea level 1 Behavior editThe Mexican kingsnake is a secretive nocturnal species that is seldom seen hiding under rocks and fallen trees by day It feeds on reptiles small mammals and amphibians but its main prey is diurnal lizards It is oviparous and lays a clutch of three to five eggs 1 3 Conservation editThe IUCN has listed the Mexican kingsnake as being of Least Concern This is because it has a wide range and the population is presumed to be large and seems to be stable It is sometimes misidentified as a venomous coral snake and killed by humans but it otherwise faces no major threats 1 Part of its range occurs within the confines of the state of Santa Rosa protected area 1 References edit a b c d e f Vazquez Diaz J Quintero Diaz G E 2007 Lampropeltis mexicana IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007 e T63830A12720231 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2007 RLTS T63830A12720231 en Retrieved 20 November 2021 a b Lampropeltis mexicana at the Reptarium cz Reptile Database Accessed 12 October 2013 a b Gehlbach F R Baker J K 1962 Kingsnakes allied with Lampropeltis mexicana taxonomy and natural history PDF Copeia 2 2 291 300 doi 10 2307 1440893 JSTOR 1440893 a b Mattison Chris 2006 Snake DK Publishing p 85 ISBN 978 0 7566 1365 5 Hanson Robert Salmon Gerard 30 December 2017 Distribution analysis taxonomic updates and conservation status of the Lampropeltis mexicana group PDF Mesoamerican Herpetology 4 4 700 758 Cherry John Thayer s Kingsnake kingsnake com Retrieved February 21 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Lampropeltis mexicana amp oldid 1164558476, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
