Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

This 5’ long, snake is another of the racer relative speedsters. Dorsal color is dark brown, or black and it has thick (1 full scale row and 2 half scale rows wide) yellow to orangish dorsolateral striping. Its belly is off-white to yellow anteriorly and pink posteriorly. Scales smooth in 17 rows. Oviparous. Hatchlings are similar to the adults. They often “periscope when hunting.

Unique Features:

The lateral stripes of this pretty racer are 1 full scale row and 2 half scale rows wide.

Habitat and Diet:

It is an inhabitant of open woodlands, meadows and scrubland. Prey of this snake includes nestlings of small mammals, birds, and lizards.

Geographic Range:

CA