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[a] main variable phases within the same clutch from similar-coloured patterned parents.[4][2][5]
| Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri | |
|---|---|
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| Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri in the melanistic phase | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Lampropeltis |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: | L. m. thayeri
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| Trinomial name | |
| Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri | |
Appearance edit
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 edit
Thayer's kingsnake is found on the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2]
Behavior edit
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 edit
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 edit
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 edit
References edit
- ^ Lampropeltis mexicana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 October 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Cherry, John. "Thayer's Kingsnake". kingsnake.com. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Wrobel, Murray (2004). Elsevier's Dictionary of Reptiles. Elsevier, 2004. p. 758. ISBN 9780080459202.
- ^ a b Wallis, Andrew. "The Thayer's or Variable kingsnake", Blue Lizard Reptiles. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ Applegate, Bob. "Thayer's Kingsnake". Applegate Reptiles. Archived from the original on 1 November 2000. Retrieved February 21, 2020.
- ^ 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) - ^ Wallis, Andrew. "The Thayer's or Variable kingsnake". Retrieved 6 October 2013.