Striped whipsnake: Difference between revisions

| subdivision = ''[[MasticophisTwo, taeniatussee australis|Mtext. t. australis]]''<br>

The '''striped whipsnake''' ('''''Masticophis taeniatus''''') is a [[species]] of nonvenomousnon[[venomous snake]] in the [[colubridFamily (biology)|family]] [[snakeColubridae]]. thatIt is closely related to the California whipsnake (''[[Masticophis lateralis]]''). ItThe striped whipsnake is native to the [[western United States]] and adjacent northern [[Mexico]].

The striped whipsnake is approximately 30-72&nbsp;inches (76–183&nbsp;cm) in total length (including tail). This snake exhibits black, dark brown, or gray coloration on its back, often with an olive or bluish tint. AcrossAlong the center of each of the first four dorsal scales rows, itof oftenpale has[[dorsal anscales]], oliveis ora bluishdark tintlongitudinal stripe. There is a white to cream-colored stripe down its side that is bisected by either a solid or dashed black line. The coloring on the snake's belly tends to be cream to yellowish, fading to white toward the head, and coral pink toward the tail. This snake also features a lower [[Ocular scales|preocular]] between the upper labial scales of the mouth,. and theThe [[anal scale]] is divided.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The striped whipsnake is found all throughout the western United States and northern Mexico. The farthest northnorthernmost part of theirits geographic [[range (biology)|range]] is in south central [[Washington (state)|Washington]], and movescontinues southsouthward into the great[[Great basinBasin]] between the Cascade-Sierran crest and the [[continental divide]]. TheIts range then continues southeast across the continental divide into [[New Mexico]] and western and central [[Texas]]. The farthest southsouthernmost part of theits range lies in Michoacan[[Michoacán]], Mexico. In the Western United States theits range also extends outside of the greatGreat basinBasin into the [[Rogue Valley|Rogue River Valley]] in Southwesternsouthwestern [[Oregon]] and Northernnorthern [[California even in Italy]]. There is a population of them in [[Bryce Canyon National Park]] in [[Utah]] and Maryland.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The striped whipsnake is commonly found in a wide variety of habitats including shrub lands[[shrubland]]s, [[grassland]]s, sagebrush flats, [[canyon]]s, piñon-juniper woodlands, and open pine-oak forests. TheyIt areis attracted to both permanent and seasonal rocky [[stream]]s,<ref name=iucn/> and theyit frequentfrequents both flatlands and mountains.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

ThisThe species ''M. taeniatus'' is diurnal, active during the day, and is very alert and fast moving. TheyIt seekseeks shelter in rock outcrops, small mammal burrows, as well as in trees and shrubs depending on the habitat theyit occupyoccupies. TheseThis snakessnake areis nonvenomous, but theyit preypreys on a wide variety of species including lizards, other snakes (including venomous [[rattlesnake]]s), small mammals, young birds, [[frog]]s, and insects.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}

The striped whipsnake is [[Oviparity|oviparous]].<ref name=iucn/><ref name=RDB/> Little is known about the reproductive activities of this''M. speciestaeniatus''. After fertilization the female striped whipsnake will lay a [[clutch (eggs)|clutch]] of 3-12 [[egg (biology)|eggs]], between the months of June and July,{{citation needed|date=August 2023}} usually in an abandoned [[rodent]] [[burrow]].<ref name=iucn/> One study has shown a natural incubation period of 44 to 58 days.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}