Lampropeltis knoblochi
Taylor, 1940
Madrean Mountain Kingsnake
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
LowThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.894283
Element CodeARADB19070
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassReptilia
OrderSquamata
FamilyColubridae
GenusLampropeltis
Other Common NamesKnobloch's Mountain Kingsnake (EN)
Concept ReferenceBurbrink, F. T., H. Yao, M. Ingrasci, R. W. Bryson, Jr., T. J. Guiher, and S. Ruane. 2011. Speciation at the Mogollon Rim in the Arizona mountain kingsnake (Lampropeltis pyromelana). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 60:445-454.
Taxonomic CommentsBased 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.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Excel v3.1x
Review Date2016-04-08
Change Date2013-07-12
Edition Date2016-04-08
Edition AuthorsHammerson, G.
Threat ImpactLow
Range Extent20,000-200,000 square km (about 8000-80,000 square miles)
Rank ReasonsRange includes mountainous areas in southwestern United Stated and northern Mexico; known from a fairly large number of collection sites; trend uncertain but likely relatively stable; no known major threats.
Range Extent CommentsRange extends from the Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico (eastern Sonora and western Chihuahua) northward to the Madrean Sky Islands (mountain ranges) in southern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico (Burbrink et al. 2011).
Occurrences CommentsThe 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).
Threat Impact CommentsLocalized declines likely 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.
Ecology & Habitat
Habitat
The following information, based mainly on L. pyromelana, also applies to L. knoblochi:
Habitats are primarily rocky, montane, and often near streams or springs, but also include lower elevations in mesic canyons (Degenhardt et al. 1996, Tanner 1983, Ernst and Ernst 2003, Stebbins 2003). Vegetation may include pinyon-juniper woodland, oak-juniper woodland, pine-oak woodland, pine-Douglas-fir woodland, or chaparral (Stebbins 2003). During daylight hours, this snake may be found among rocks, logs, or dense clumps of vegetation, under objects, or exposed.
Terrestrial HabitatsWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralBare rock/talus/scree
Palustrine HabitatsRiparian
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
| Province | Rank | Native |
|---|
| Arizona | S3 | Yes |
| New Mexico | S1 | Yes |
References (9)
- Burbrink, F. T., H. Yao, M. Ingrasci, R. W. Bryson, Jr., T. J. Guiher, and S. Ruane. 2011. Speciation at the Mogollon Rim in the Arizona mountain kingsnake (<i>Lampropeltis pyromelana</i>). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 60:445-454.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2012. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 7th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 39:1-92.
- Crother, B. I. (editor). 2017. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding. 8th edition. SSAR Herpetological Circular 43:1-104. [Updates in SSAR North American Species Names Database at: https://ssarherps.org/cndb]
- Degenhardt, W. G., C. W. Painter, and A. H. Price. 1996. Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque. xix + 431 pp.
- Ernst, C. H., and E. M. Ernst. 2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. Smithsonian Books, Washington, D.C.
- Lemos Espinal, J. A., and H. M. Smith. 2007. Anfibios y reptiles del estado de Chuhuahua, Mexico. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico.
- Lemos-Espinal, J. A., D. Chiszar, and H. M. Smith, 2003. Knobloch's king snake (<i>Lampropeltis pyromelana knoblochi</i>) of Mexico a species. Bulletin of the Maryland Herpetological Society 39:53-58.
- Stebbins, R. C. 2003. A field guide to western reptiles and amphibians. Third edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston.
- Tanner, W.W. 1983. <i>Lampropeltis pyromelana</i>. Cat. Am. Amph. Rep. 342.1-342.2.