![]() Racers: Snakesīlack Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most widespread of all the snakes native to the United States. The black body with side stripes makes it a very easy snake to identify. The state is so big in terms of territory that it’s a fairly common species to cross paths with, except for the very wet northwest portion of the state and the very dry southwest portion of the state. The fifth and final of the native coachwhip snakes, the California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis) limits it range to California. Here’s a close up of the face of a Striped Whipsnake. Striped Whipsnakes (Masticophis taeniatus) range through most of the Southwest, and as far north as the Oregon border. Schott’s Whipsnake (Masticophis schotti), another separate species, has a small range in South Texas. Sonoran Whipsnakes (Masticophis bilineatus) have a very small presence in the Sonoran Desert areas of New Mexico and Arizona. Alameda whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis) Threatened.Red coachwhip (masticophis flagellum) Species of Concern.San Joaquin whipsnake (Masticophis flagellum ruddocki) Species of Concern.Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) lists three different Masticophis species with population pressures. Forest edges, fields and prairies all provide suitable habitat for these snakes. The wide range suggests they adapt to a variety of habitats, most with the traditional south sandy soils. Body color in these snakes is very much a function of geography and climate. Many of the subspecies have different color patterns from red to yellow to brown to dark to tan. The name Red Racer can be a bit misleading. ![]() It’s probably the most common species, with subspecies living in states from Florida, west to California. The top picture shows a Red Racer (Masticophis flagellum). Otherwise, their diet consists of rodents and other small invertebrates, so they can be considered beneficial neighbors in most of their territories.įive species are found in the United States. Many species tend to be ill tempered and readily bite when handled. They are typically wary of human presence and often speed away when sighted.Ĭoachwhips are also nonvenomous snake. In fact, seeing one in the wild might be easier than photographing one. Fortunately, and contrary to popular myth, whip snakes do not go into attack mode, chasing and punishing humans in their vicinity. It’s hard to miss one when they are sitting on a hiking path, or curled up, and curled up and curled up some more in a tree. The lengthy size of the coachwhip snakes makes them an imposing figure. ![]()
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