Lampropeltis alterna (Gray-banded Kingsnake)

Vic. of Rodeo, Durango

The town of Rodeo lies near the western margin of the Chihuahan Desert of Durango.  This locality holds special status among alterna aficionados because of a single DOR specimen (TCWC 36892) obtained in late August 1969 by Ernest Tanzer (see photo in Gallery). This was the first alterna from Durango, and no additional specimens have been found in the Rodeo area since. However, this apparent rarity undoubtedly is a consequence of very limited field searches by herpetologists, as there is no shortage of alterna habitat. All photos copyright Troy D. Hibbitts. [4700 ft/1417 m] elev. (August 2007).