Masticophis

Masticophis is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly referred to as whip snakes or coachwhips, which are endemic to the Americas. They are characterized by having a long, thin body and are not dangerous to humans.

Distribution and habitat

of Masticophis are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.

Description

Adults of species in the genus Masticophis may attain a total length from 152 cm for M. lateralis to 259 cm for M. flagellum. A distinctive character of this genus is the shape of the frontal scale which is bell-shaped and elongated. At the rear of the body, the dorsal scales are arranged in only 13 rows.

Species and subspecies

The genus Masticophis contains eleven species that are recognized as being valid, five of which have recognized subspecies.

Masticophis anthonyi – Clarion Island whip snake
Masticophis aurigulus – Baja California striped whip snake
Masticophis barbouri – Baja California striped whip snake, Espiritu Santo striped whip snake
Masticophis bilineatus – Sonoran whip snake
Masticophis flagellum – coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum cingulum – Sonoran coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum flagellum – eastern coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum lineatulus – lined coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum piceus – red coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum ruddocki – San Joaquin coachwhip
*Masticophis flagellum testaceus – western coachwhip
Masticophis fuliginosus – Baja California coachwhip
Masticophis lateralis – California whipsnake
*Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus – Alameda striped racer
*Masticophis lateralis lateralis – California striped racer
Masticophis mentovarius – neotropical whip snake
*Masticophis mentovarius centralis
*Masticophis mentovarius mentovarius
*Masticophis mentovarius suborbitalis
*Masticophis mentovarius striolatus
*Masticophis mentovarius variolosus
Masticophis schotti – Schott's whip snake
*Masticophis schotti ruthveni – Ruthven's whip snake
*Masticophis schotti schotti – Schott's whip snake
Masticophis slevini – Isla San Esteban whipsnake, San Esteban Island whipsnake
Masticophis taeniatus – striped whip snake
*Masticophis taeniatus girardi – Central Texas whip snake
*Masticophis taeniatus taeniatus – desert striped whip snake

Nota bene: A binomial authority or trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the species or subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Masticophis.