Thayeri kingsnake
| Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Lamprophiidae |
| Genus: | Lampropeltis |
| Species: | L. mexicana (Garman, 1884) |
| Subspecies: | L. m. thayeri Loveridge, 1924[1] |
| Trinomial name | |
| Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri Loveridge, 1924[1] | |
The Thayeri kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri), also known as the Nuevo Leon kingsnake, is a nonvenomous snake belonging to the family Colubridae.[2][3] The Thayeri kingsnake is a subspecies of the mexicana group of the Lampropeltis genus.[2] The Thayeri kingsnake is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2] The Thayer's kingsnake is known for producing offspring displaying three main variable phases within the same clutch from similar colored patterned parents.[2][4]
Range
The Thayeri kingsnake is found on the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2]
Behavior
The behavior of the Thayeri kingsnake is similar to many of the other kingsnake species. The Thayei kingsnake is typically non-aggressive[2] and reclusive and does well in captivity. The Thayeri kingsnake requires a hiding place at all times and often prefers to hide in such [2]
Diet
The Thayeri 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 fellow snakes.[2] In captivity Thayeri kingsnakes can be weaned onto rodents as their main food source.
Reproduction
Thayer's kingsnakes are oviparous typically laying between 6–14 eggs up to twice per year.[5] Like many other colubrids Thayer's kingsnakes usually mate in early spring following a winter cooling period.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lampropeltis mexicana at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 12 October 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Cherry, John. "Thayer's Kingsnake". Kingsnake.com. Retrieved 5 October 2013.
- ↑ Wrobel, Murray (2004). Elsevier's Dictionary of Reptiles. Elsevier, 2004. p. 758. ISBN 9780080459202.
- ↑ Applegate, Bob. "Thayer's Kingsnake".
- ↑ Wallis, Andrew. "The Thayer's or Variable kingsnake". Retrieved 6 October 2013.