Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Thanks for any help. Sorry for the blurry pic. I didn't realize I was too close. He kept shakin his tail, but I figured many snakes do that to try and be cool like a rattler.

Thanks again!
Andy

Looks like a juvenile racer to me (Coluber constrictor). Without looking at a range map, I would guess yellow bellied racer. I think it is the same species but different subspecies of the post below yours.

>>Andy
>>
>>
I'm gonna go with Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum ssp). Depending on what part of Kansas you were in, it could be Eastern (M. f. flagellum) or Western (M. f. testaceus), but I'm leaning towards Westen, based on the size of the crossbands.

JPD

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

Look at the thread below this to see a juv Coachwhip. Longer head and different pattern, particularly towards the tail.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

That is a juvenile Yellow-bellied Racer (not a coachwhip).
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Sorry to disagree Chris, but that little guy is a good match for the juvenile Western Coachwhip on Plate 26 of Conant and Collins (C&C).

Check it yourself - Western Coachwhip "Young: Dark crosslines one or two scales wide and separated from one another by about the width of three or more scales." (C&C pg. 343).

See also Fig. 6.3 on pg 337 of C&C. It is quite clear that this snake is a young Coachwhip Mastcophis flagellum ssp..

Regards,

John D

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

Looking at the photo again, I think you are right. It does have the color pattern of a young coachwhip, it just doesn't have the shape/gestalt of one. It actually looks like it could have just hatched within a few days, which would explain its plumpness and short-headedness
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

You're going to concede that is a Masticophis?

Neonate Masticophis flagellum

Neonate Coluber constrictor.

Although the snake in the photo has a relatively fragmented pattern (as is common in the western ssp. of C. constrictor), it seems pretty obvious to me.
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Pierson Hill

I backed down far too easily on this one. That is clearly a Coluber. I'm not sure why I gave in so easily. Getting soft in my old age?
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

>>I backed down far too easily on this one. That is clearly a Coluber. I'm not sure why I gave in so easily. Getting soft in my old age?
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>>Chris Harrison
>>San Antonio, Texas

So, what have you two got against Coachwhips? J/K

Your Gestalt-O-Meter was dead-on accurate Chris. You should have stuck to your guns.

I concede - the snake in the posted picture resembles Mr. Hill's neonate racer photo closely. Its certainly a better picture than those in the field guide. In relying on references, its always possible to read something backwards. Guess my eyes are getting old.

Regards,

John D

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I am so not lesdysxic!

0.1 Creamsicle Cornsake "Yolanda"
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake "Steely Dan"
0.1 Desert Kingsnake "FATTY"
0.1 Black Rat (WV Rescue) "Roberta"

..what's the local subspecies,eastern yellowbellied,i think?regardless,the species is coluber constrictor.
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"with head raised regally,and gazing at me with lidless eyes,he seemed to question with flicks of his long forked tongue my right to trespass on his territory" Carl Kauffeld