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]
Thayer's kingsnake is found on the eastern slopes of the Mexican plateaus in Tamaulipas, Mexico.[2]
Behavior
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
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
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
^The fourth phase, "melanistic" or "black", is uncommon but may appear in a clutch.[4]
^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)
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