California whipsnake | 台北市立動物園資訊網

TheCaliforniawhipsnake(Masticophislateralis)alsoknownasthestripedracer,isacolubridsnakefoundinhabitatsofthecoast,desert,andfoothillsof ...

Species of snake

The California whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis), also known as the striped racer, is a colubrid snake found in habitats of the coast, desert, and foothills of California.

Masticophis lateralis is 90–120 centimetres (3.0–3.9 ft) in total length (including tail). It is slender, with a yellowish stripe along each side, set against a dark brown or black back.[3]

The California whipsnake is known to eat a variety of live animals including insects, lizards, snakes, birds, and small mammals.[3][4] It shows a strong preference for lizards, which are captured by a grasp of the mouth,[4] and swallowed alive.

Masticophis lateralis is fast-moving, diurnal, and an active forager. It commonly moves over and through brush and trees to avoid predation and to capture prey.[4] The California whipsnake has been observed moving into the top of scrub plants after emerging from nightly retreats to gain access to direct sunlight before the sunlight reac...