Lampropeltis ruthveni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lampropeltis ruthveni |
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Lampropeltis
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ruthveni
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The Ruthven's kingsnake (scientific name: Lampropeltis ruthveni) is a cool type of kingsnake. It belongs to the Colubridae family, which is a big group of snakes. This snake was first described in 1920 by a scientist named Frank N. Blanchard. He named it after another American snake expert, Alexander Grant Ruthven. You can only find this special snake in Mexico.
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About the Ruthven's Kingsnake
This kingsnake has really bright and consistent colors, which is pretty unique! It has bold white stripes on a vivid red body, with thick black borders around the red and white parts.
It can grow to be quite long, up to about 127 centimeters (that's over 4 feet!). Its head is clearly separate from its neck, and its eyes are a pretty golden-brown color.
Where It Lives and Its Home
The Ruthven's kingsnake lives in several states in Mexico. You can find it in places like Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, Michoacán, and Querétaro.
It likes to live in different kinds of environments. These include forests with pine and oak trees, and grassy areas with mesquite plants. It can live in both slightly wet and very dry places. You might also spot it in rocky areas near farm fields. These snakes are found at high elevations, from about 1,925 meters to 2,667 meters above sea level.
What It Eats
In the wild, the Ruthven's kingsnake is a predator. It likes to eat small rodents, lizards, and even other snakes!
Life Cycle and Reproduction
The Ruthven's kingsnake reproduces by laying eggs. This means it is an oviparous species. A female snake usually lays a clutch of 6 to 10 eggs at a time.
Protecting the Ruthven's Kingsnake
Even though this snake is common, its numbers are going down. There are a few reasons for this. Some people collect these snakes, sometimes illegally, to sell them as pets around the world. Also, their homes are being destroyed because of deforestation (when forests are cut down).
Luckily, these snakes often live on steep, rocky hillsides. This helps protect some groups of them from farming that is spreading into their habitat. However, the areas where they live are becoming very separated.
Ruthven's Kingsnake as Pets
Many Ruthven's kingsnakes are kept as pets. There are enough of them being bred in captivity, so not many are taken from the wild anymore. A special type of this snake, called the albino morph, is very popular among snake breeders.
