Schott's Whipsnake
(Masticophis schotti)
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Schott's Whipsnake (Masticophis schotti) |
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Color Photograph: Courtesy
of L.A. Dawson: This image is licensed under the Creative Commons
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Masticophis taeniatus Upper white line bisected by a thin black line. This species occurs in western and central Texas, but its range does not over that of Schott's Whipsnake.
Thamnophis sauritis Garter snakes of the genus Thamnophis have keeled dorsal scales. These scales are smooth in the genus Masticophis. Schott's Whipsnake (Masticophis schotti) Identification: Snake 40 to 70 inches in length. Color blue-gray, sometimes with a green tinge. In "Schott's Whipsnake" there are two white lines running from the back of the head to about the midpoint of the body, one dorso-lateral and edged below with black and a second just before the belly. "Ruthvens Whipsnake" has a single dorso-lateral white stripe and the stripe is limited to the anterior third of the body. A salmon color patched may or may not be present on the side of the neck. Preocular scale triangular and wedged between two dorsal labial scales. Scales smooth and anal plate divided. Geographical Variation:
Range (see map on left): This species occurs in the southern counties of Texas and extends southward into northern and central Mexico. Habitat: Schott's Whipsnake occurs in dry grassland and shrubby desert flatlands. Food: Lizards, small mammals, and smaller snakes. Behavior: A diurnal, agile snake that moves rapidly around its habitat. This species common takes shelter below rocky ledges and in mammal burrows during the hottest periods of the day. Reproduction: Unknown.
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Schott's Whipsnake (Masticophis schotti)
This species occurs outside the ranges of the Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis) (California and Baja California) and the Sonoran Whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus). Other similar species Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) Garter snakes (Thamnophis species) |
Similar Species |
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