Lampropeltis pyromelana

Based on DNA data, Burbrink et al. (2011) determined that Lampropeltis pyromelana (as circumscribed by Stebbins 2003) comprises two distinct species, the northern L. pyromelana and southern L. knoblochi (primarily on the Sierra Madre Occidental and associated Madrean Sky Islands). This conclusion conformed with an earlier similar determination by Lemos-Espinal et al. (2003) and Lemos Espinal and Smith (2007), though the described distributions of the taxa do not entirely match.

Subspecies infralabialis was proposed as a distinct species by Collins (1991), but no supporting data were presented. This proposal has not been adopted by other herpetologists.

Discontinuous range in mountainous interior southwestern United States; known from a fairly large number of localities; no known major threats; likely relatively stable or slowly declining.

Range extends discontinuously from east-central Nevada and central and western Utah southward to areas near (mostly north of) the Mogollon Rim in Arizona and New Mexico (Burbrink et al. 2011).

The number of distinct occurrences has not been determined using consistent criteria, but this species is represented by a fairly large number of collection sites and locations (as defined by IUCN). This snake is secretive and occurs in rough terrain that often lacks good access to humans; the number of occupied areas is very likely larger than currently known.

Ernst and Ernst (2003) stated that "some populations have been adversely affected by habitat destruction and collecting for the pet trade" but did not elaborate or cite a source of this information. Certainly localized declines have occurred as a result of intensive habitat alteration and in some roadside populations readily accessible to collectors, but in most areas this snake is not threatened.