One specimen from Volcán Jorullo (UMMZ 104494), three from Arteaga (UMMZ 119281), and one from Uruapan (UMMZ 92342) are typical of the subspecies R. h. hesperia in possessing a lateral cream-colored line on the sixth and parts of the fifth and seventh dorsal scale rows and in lacking a dark line on the second scale row. The specimens from El Sabino (EHT-HMS 5441 and UIMNH 18933) and one from Coalcomán (UMMZ 104502) have the cream-colored line on the sixth and adjacent parts of the fifth and seventh scale rows and have a dark line on the second scale row. Another individual from Volcán Jorullo (UMMZ 104682) has cream-colored lines like the others, but it possesses two lateral dark lines, one on the second scale row, and one on the third.
Smith (1942d:186) diagnosed Rhadinaea hesperia hesperioides as differing from the nominal subspecies in having the cream-colored line on the fourth and fifth scale rows and in possessing a dark line on the second scale row. The specimens seen all have the lateral cream-colored line centered on the sixth scale row, as is characteristic of R. h. hesperia. Although many of the specimens also possess a dark line on the second scale row, these specimens are here assigned to R. h. hesperia. Additional specimens are necessary to define accurately the subspecies and their ranges. Peters (1954:29) assigned the specimens from Coalcomán to R. h. hesperioides.
In life the specimens from Arteaga had bright cream-colored temporal stripes and dorsolateral stripes on the anterior part of the body. The chin and anterior one-sixth of the belly was white; posteriorly the venter was bright orange-red.
In Michoacán this snake has been found in tropical semi-deciduous forest, arid scrub forest, and pine-oak forest at elevations from 850 to 1500 meters.
Rhadinaea laureata (Günther)
Dromicus laureatus Günther, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 4, 1:419, 1868.—Mexico City.
Rhadinaea laureata, Boulenger, Catalogue Snakes... British Museum, 2, p. 179, September 23, 1894.
Capácuaro; Carapan (8); Cherán (3); Paracho (2); Pátzcuaro; Tancítaro (10).
This snake is abundant in the Cordillera Volcánica, but it is unknown in the mountains to the northeast of Morelia or in the Sierra de Coalcomán. Most specimens were found beneath volcanic rocks imbedded in the ashy soil in pine forest between 1800 and 2300 meters.
Rhadinaea taeniata (Peters)