Masticophis lateralis Striped Racer
Also known as:
California Whipsnake
Subspecies I've seen:
M. l. euryxanthus
Alameda Striped Racer
M. l. lateralis
California Striped Racer
Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus Alameda Striped Racer
Contra Costa County, CaliforniaMay 5, 2014
Alameda Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus) Alameda Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus)
The Alameda Striped Racer has a very limited range in the east San Francisco bay area, and would thus be a prize to find even if it weren't beautiful. This one was found by Andy O'Connor and Chris MacDonald who were visiting northern and central California for a few days in search of such things.
Masticophis lateralis lateralis California Striped Racer
Pine Ridge Trail, Ventana Wilderness, Monterey County, CaliforniaAugust 23, 1998
California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis)
August 23 was a good day for snakes on Pine Ridge Trail. We saw this speedy fellow, a California Kingsnake, and a Gopher Snake, and we just missed seeing a rattlesnake on the trail.
Uvas Canyon County Park, Santa Clara County, CaliforniaMay 29, 2005
California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis) California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis)
My friend Fred Harer and I spotted this very young California Striped Racer as it slithered towards cover under a small plant on the hillside along the hiking trail. It was probably hunting for the many Side-blotched Lizards that we saw skittering about nearby. These snakes are extremely fast, but we managed to get this little guy to calm down enough to pose for a few pictures.
Pinnacles National Park, San Benito County, CaliforniaMay 26, 2007
California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis)
Here's another cooperatively posing young striped racer. This one lacks the strong orange/red tint visible in the previous photos.
Santa Cruz County, CaliforniaJuly 26, 2013
California Striped Racer (Masticophis lateralis lateralis)
James Maughn and I came across this handsome fellow while we were out looking for Santa Cruzian snakes. I love the alert hunting posture of this species.
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