Durango Mountain Kingsnake
Lampropeltis greeri
A tricolor mountain kingsnake from the pine-oak highlands of Durango, Mexico, part of the Mexican mountain kingsnake group.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.8-1.2 m (2.5-4 ft)
- Range
- Sierra Madre Occidental, Durango, Mexico
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Overview
The Durango Mountain Kingsnake (Lampropeltis greeri) is a highland species of the Sierra Madre Occidental in Durango, once treated as a subspecies within the Mexican kingsnake (Lampropeltis mexicana) complex. It shares the tricolor banded appearance typical of many Mexican mountain kingsnakes.
Taxonomic boundaries within this complex have shifted over time, and this form is recognized largely by its geographic isolation in Durango's mountain forests.
How to identify it
- Alternating bands of red, black, and cream or white encircling the body
- Smooth scales with a glossy sheen
- Rounded head, not distinct from the neck, with round pupils
- Body proportionally slender with a cylindrical cross-section
- Look-alikes: other tricolor kingsnakes and coral snakes; band width and sequence vary by locality
Habitat & range
Found in pine-oak forest and rocky slopes within the Sierra Madre Occidental of Durango state, typically at moderate to high elevations. It hides under rocks, logs, and forest litter.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Crepuscular to nocturnal in activity, especially during warmer months. It is a constrictor feeding on small vertebrates including rodents, lizards, and other snakes. Reproduction is oviparous.
Frequently asked questions
Is this snake dangerous?
No, it is non-venomous and poses no danger to people.
Where does it live?
It is found in the mountain forests of Durango, Mexico, within the Sierra Madre Occidental.
Is it the same as other Mexican mountain kingsnakes?
It is closely related to them and was once placed within the Mexican kingsnake complex, but is recognized by its Durango highland distribution.
What does it eat?
Small mammals, lizards, and other snakes, subdued by constriction.
Durango Mountain Kingsnake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Durango Mountain Kingsnake.
