Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri | |
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Lampropeltis mexicana thayeri in the melanistic phase | |
Scientific classification | |
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 |
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]
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]
Thayer's kingsnake is found on the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico. [2]
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]
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.
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.
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