Species of snake
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]
Etymology
The specific name, webbi, is in honor of American herpetologist Robert G. Webb.[3][4]
Description
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
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
L. webbi is oviparous.[3]
References
Further reading
- 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).