Coachwhip

About the Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake, commonly referred to as the coachwhip, whip snake or the red racer. It is endemic to the United States and Mexico. Three subspecies are recognized (including the nominotypical subspecies). It is listed as a species of Least Concern by the ICUN.

The generic name Masticophis is derived from the Greek words mastix, meaning "whip", and ophis, meaning "serpent". The specific name flagellum is Latin for "whip". The scientific name was given due to the braided, whip-like appearance of the tail coupled with the length of the snake. Subspecific translations are as follows: lineatulus, (linea) Latin for "line"; testaceus, Latin for "hard covering made of brick or tile", in reference to the scaling pattern of the snake.

Including the nominotypical subspecies, there are three subspecies of Masticophis flagellum that are recognized as being valid. Scientific and common names are listed below. Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Masticophis.

Coachwhips are thin-bodied snakes... Wikipedia →