Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Ground color of this long (to 5+ feet), slender, alert, and agile brushland snake is black dorsally and brownish-black laterally. The throat is white. The belly is white anteriorly becoming pinkish posteriorly and bright pink beneath the tail. 2 white dorsolateral stripes.This snake is an agile climber. They often “periscope when hunting. Oviparous. Hatchlings look much like the adults.

Unique Features:

This whipsnake is darkest anteriorly and lighter posteriorly.

Habitat and Diet:

This is a scrub and brush dwelling desert snake. Capable of climbing, it will promptly do so if seeking prey or an avenue of escape. Prey of this snake includes nestlings of small mammals, birds, and lizards.

Geographic Range:

AZ, CA, CO, ID, UT, WY, NM, OR, WA