Coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassSquamata
- FamilyColubridae (Colubrid Snakes)
- GenusMasticophis (Whipsnakes)
- SpeciesMasticophis flagellum (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 →
Closest Relatives at Saguaro National Park
Sonoran Whipsnake
Masticophis bilineatus
Gopher Snake
Pituophis catenifer
Long-nosed Snake
Rhinocheilus lecontei
Black-necked Gartersnake
Thamnophis cyrtopsis
Desert Kingsnake
Lampropeltis splendida
Desert Nightsnake
Hypsiglena chlorophaea
California King Snake
Lampropeltis californiae
Banded Sand Snake
Sonora cincta
Western Patch-nosed Snake
Salvadora hexalepis
Checkered Garter Snake
Thamnophis marcianus
Sonoran Lyre Snake
Trimorphodon lambda
Ringneck Snake
Diadophis punctatus
Global Distribution
Where this species is recorded worldwide. Restricted to human observations from 2019 onwards — the same kind of record and the same period the probabilities on this page are built from, so collar-tracking studies, camera-trap arrays and museum specimens are excluded. Around Santa Rosa that removes 5,924 GPS fixes from a handful of tagged jaguars.
where this species is recorded (GBIF density — it tracks where observers go, not how likely a sighting is) · parks where it occurs — tap a pin for the sighting probability there
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Death Valley National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 2 | Big Bend National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 3 | Joshua Tree National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 4 | Saguaro National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 5 | Everglades National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 6 | Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 7 | Zion National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 8 | Grand Canyon National Park | 🇺🇸 United States | |
| 9 | Channel Islands National Park | 🇺🇸 United States |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Coachwhip in Saguaro National Park?
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Coachwhip sighting in Saguaro National Park, based on 219 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Coachwhip in Saguaro National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Coachwhip in Saguaro National Park in our monthly data.