Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Masticophis Rank Genus | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Colubridae Higher classification Colubrinae | |
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Lower classifications Masticophis flagellum, Striped whipsnake, California whipsnake | ||
Eastern coachwhip snake masticophis flagellum flagellum shaw 1802
Masticophis is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly referred to as whip snakes or coachwhips, which are endemic to the Americas. They are characterized by having a long, thin body and are not dangerous to humans.
Contents
- Eastern coachwhip snake masticophis flagellum flagellum shaw 1802
- Masticophis flagellum coachwhip or whip snake
- Geographic range
- Description
- Species
- References
Masticophis flagellum coachwhip or whip snake
Geographic range
Species of Masticophis are found in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Description
Adults may attain total lengths from 152 cm (5 ft) for M. lateralis to 259 cm (8.5 ft) for M. flagellum. A distinctive character of this genus is the shape of the frontal scale (the large scale in the center of the upper surface of the head) which is bell-shaped and elongated. At the rear of the body, the dorsal scales are arranged in only 13 rows.
Species
References
Masticophis Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA