Lampropeltis webbi is a species of king snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Mexico. Currently, there are only five known specimens, with one being a live snake.[2]

Lampropeltis webbi
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Lampropeltis
Species:
L. webbi
Binomial name
Lampropeltis webbi

Etymology

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The specific name, webbi, is in honor of American herpetologist Robert G. Webb.[3][4]

Description

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Due to the few number of specimens, there is limited knowledge of the range of L. webbi appearances. Known specimens have a pattern of grey with broad red saddles bordered by black striping. The largest specimen has a length of 75 cm, with specimens having a ventral scale count ranging 216–221 ventral scales. The head is slightly distinct from the neck, with brown eyes slightly protruding from the head.[2]

Habitat and geographic range

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Lampropeltis webbi has been found in rugged montane pine–oak forest in the Sierra Madre Occidental, near the border between the Mexican states of Durango and Sinaloa.[1] It has been found only on a small stretch of a single highway in this region, with most of the specimens being found dead on the road.[2]

Reproduction

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L. webbi is oviparous.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Flores-Villela, O. (2007). "Lampropeltis webbi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2007: e.T63833A12720480. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63833A12720480.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Hanson, Robert; Salmon, Gerard (30 December 2017). "Distribution analysis, taxonomic updates, and conservation status of the Lampropeltis mexicana group". Mesoamerican Herpetology. 4 (4): 700–758.
  3. ^ a b Lampropeltis webbi at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 18 August 2015.
  4. ^ Beolens B, Watkins M, Grayson M (2011). The Eponym Dictionary of Reptiles. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. xiii + 296 pp. ISBN 978-1-4214-0135-5. (Lampropeltis webbi, p. 280).

Further reading

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  • Bryson RW, Dixon JR, Lazcano D (2005). "New Species of Lampropeltis (Serpentes: Colubridae) from the Sierra Madre Occidental, México". Journal of Herpetology 39 (2): 207–214. (Lampropeltis webbi, new species).
  • Hansen RW, Salmon GT (2017). "Distribution analysis, taxonomic updates, and conservation status for the Lampropeltis mexicana group (Serpentes: Colubridae)". Mesoamerican Herpetology 4 (4): 700–758. (Lampropeltis webbi, pp. 720–721, 741–742 + Figures 15–18, 30).