Species profile
Striped Whipsnake
Masticophis taeniatus
Identify Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 2,373 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Utah, Texas, and New Mexico the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Ranges across the western U.S. from Oregon and Idaho south through Texas and into Mexico.
- Can reach up to 6 feet in length, making it one of the longer western colubrids.
- Non-venomous and diurnal — it hunts lizards, small snakes, and rodents by day.
- Speed and boldness allow it to pursue prey into shrubs and up rock faces.
Where Striped Whipsnake are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for Striped Whipsnake
Background
The striped whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake that is closely related to the California whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis). It is native to the western United States and northern Mexico.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's Striped Whipsnake article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is Striped Whipsnake?
Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for Striped Whipsnake?
Striped Whipsnake is Masticophis taeniatus.
Is Striped Whipsnake regulated for fishing?
Yes — Striped Whipsnake has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify Striped Whipsnake?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes Striped Whipsnake along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.