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 edit

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

Description edit

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 edit

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 edit

L. webbi is oviparous.[3]

References edit

  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 edit

  • 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).