Image courtesy Bryan Mohr http://www.herp.com

Common Name:

Huachuca Mountain Kingsnake

Scientific Name:

Lampropeltis pyromelana woodini

Size:

Hatchlings: 7 - 8 in.

Adults: 36 - 42 in.

Scalation:

Dorsal: 23

Ventral: 221 - 233

Sub-caudal: 63 - 78

lnfralabial: 10

Supralabial: 7 - 8

Analplate: Single

Coloration

Head:
Head is black with a white snout. First white ring is narrow above and wider below.

Dorsal:
This is a tri-colored animal that has fewer white rings ( usually 37 - 40 ) than the adjacent Arizona Mountain King ( 42 - 61 ). Red is a bright lipstick red with little flecking in the scales. Black rings may crossover on spine, but do not reach to ventrals.

Ventral:
White with paler red rings encircling body. Black does not cross onto ventrals

Range:

Restricted to the Huachuca Mts. of Arizona and Mexico.

Habitat:

This subspecies in it's true form is restricted only to the mountainous areas of the sonoran desert.

Prey:

In captivity these animals fair very well on a diet of lab. raised mice. Juveniles require new born pink mice, because of their small size. They are generally good to average feeders when young.

In the wild they primarily feed on lizards and rodents, although they may be considered opportunistic and feed on nestling birds, other snakes, and various amphibians.

Behavior:

This is a very non-aggressive species that does well in captivity. It is somewhat secretive and requires a hiding box at all times. They become favorites in most collections, because of beautiful colors and gentleness.

Breeding:

Breeding in captivity is achieved in the same manner as with most colubrids using the following as a guideline. Towards the middle of October cease feeding totally, allowing at least 2 -3 weeks at normal temperature for clearing of the gut. Then gradually reduce the ambient tempeture inside the cage to the middle 50's/low 60's and maintain for a period of 3 months. Be sure and provide clean water and systematically check animals for general condition and welfare during this period. middle of the brumation cycle with good success. After brumation and the animals are brought back up to optimum temperature of 76 - 82 degrees, feeding should resume for approx. three weeks and the pair should be placed together under supervision for short periods of time until copulation can be confirmed. An egg laying chamber/box partially filled with damp vermiculite or sphagnum moss is helpful. Eggs should be removed immediately after laying and placed in damp vermiculite for the incubation period of 58 - 66 days at temperatures of 80 - 83 degrees.

Literature Cited:

Stebbins,Robert C. 1985 second editition revised. A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin Company

Cherry, John & Cindy Field & Breeding Notes