Amealco

This is the area from which the founders of modern captive lines of Lampropeltis ruthveni were collected. Despite its high elevation (8718 ft/2656 m), the terrain near Amealco is drier than other localities occupied by ruthveni. Habitat consists of abundant rock with scattered oaks, cacti, low-growing xerophyllic shrubs, and grasses. All photos courtesy of Chris Grünwald. (July 2006).