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Striped whipsnake

Masticophis taeniatus is found from central Texas and neighboring Mexico through Arizona and Utah to Nevada, northern California, Oregon, and southern Washington. In the southern part of its range this species is associated with open woodlands in mountainous terrain. In the north it is found in high altitude woodlands, as well as in desert scrub, grassland, and juniper-studded rangelands at the lower altitudes. Striped whipsnakes can often be found near pond and river edges where water is readily available and amphibians can be found.
 

Striped whipsnake
This is a slender snake with an adult length of 36 to 72 inches (90-183 cm). Dorsally the snake is typically dark brown to gray or blue, with three light stripes on each side with a color range from grey to white. The side stripe is divided by a broken to continuous dark band. The dorsal scales are smooth, in fifteen rows at midbody. The anal plate is divided.


Reproduction
Females lay 3 to 12 bumpy-shelled eggs in the spring or early summer. The eggs take two to three months to hatch, and the slender young are about 14 inches long.


Behavior
This is a fast-moving and alert species. When threatened, Striped Whipsnakes will usually flee, seeking shelter in rocks, rodent burrows, or shrubs, but if cornered they often will stand their ground and strike at the intruder. Occasional specimens will lie quietly with no signs of aggression and allow themselves to be handled.


Food Habits
The striped whipsnake eats amphibians, smaller snakes, and lizards. Three other important prey to the whipsnake are bird nestlings, bird eggs, and rodents. This snake is an active hunter that finds its food by vision and scent trailing, although vision plays the larger role out of the two. Juvenile whipsnakes consume insects, including crickets, locusts, and cicadas.

 

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