Striped whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus)
The striped whipsnake is a non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. GBIF holds 1,191 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 9 states, most of all Texas (379), Utah (227) and Nevada (145). Its observation records peak in May.
Is the striped whipsnake poisonous or venomous?
No. The striped whipsnake is non-venomous: it belongs to the family Colubridae, not to the pit vipers or coral snakes, the only U.S. land snakes with medically dangerous venom. It may bite if handled; clean the bite like any small wound.
Which states have the striped whipsnake?
Records are spread over 9 states; the top three, Texas, Utah and Nevada, hold 63% of them.
| # | State | Records | Share of state snakes | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 379 | 0.9% | 30th of 86 |
| 2 | Utah | 227 | 6.8% | 5th of 28 |
| 3 | Nevada | 145 | 3.6% | 8th of 27 |
| 4 | New Mexico | 129 | 2.0% | 11th of 56 |
| 5 | Arizona | 125 | 0.6% | 35th of 60 |
| 6 | California | 94 | 0.1% | 39th of 46 |
| 7 | Idaho | 42 | 2.8% | 8th of 11 |
| 8 | Oregon | 22 | 0.3% | 11th of 16 |
| 9 | Colorado | 19 | 0.5% | 16th of 26 |
When is the striped whipsnake seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the striped whipsnake run mostly March through September, peaking in May with 24% of them. Almost none are from December to February.
Season by state
Among states whose main season falls within one calendar year, it starts earliest in March (Texas) and latest in April (Utah). Each of these states peaks in a different month: April in Texas and May in Utah.
| State | Main season | Peak month | Observation records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | March through September | April | 48 |
| Utah | April through September | May | 44 |
Where the striped whipsnake is recorded in each state
Texas
Texas holds 379 licensed records, the 30th most recorded of 86 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Texas run mostly March through September, peaking in April; most licensed records come from El Paso County, Brewster County and Val Verde County. Next come Jeff Davis County (26) and Cameron County (21).
Utah
Utah holds 227 licensed records, the 5th most recorded of 28 snakes listed there. Its observation records in Utah run mostly April through September, peaking in May; most licensed records come from Tooele County, Washington County and San Juan County. Next come Uintah County (17) and Grand County (16).
Nevada
Nevada holds 145 licensed records, the 8th most recorded of 27 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Nevada come from Washoe County, Clark County and Nye County. Next come White Pine County (18) and Humboldt County (11).
New Mexico
New Mexico holds 129 licensed records, the 11th most recorded of 56 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in New Mexico come from Doña Ana County, Grant County and Eddy County. Next come Catron County (16) and Sierra County (12).
Arizona
Arizona holds 125 licensed records, the 35th most recorded of 60 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Arizona come from Coconino County, Yavapai County and Mohave County. Next come Apache County (14) and Gila County (13).
California
California holds 94 licensed records, the 39th most recorded of 46 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in California come from Mono County, Inyo County and San Bernardino County. Next come Lassen County (10) and Siskiyou County (8).
Idaho
Idaho holds 42 licensed records, the 8th most recorded of 11 snakes listed there. Most of its licensed records in Idaho come from Owyhee County, Ada County and Cassia County. Next come Elmore County (3) and Gooding County (2).
Top counties in the U.S.
| # | County | State | Records | Share of U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tooele County | Utah | 86 | 7.2% |
| 2 | El Paso County | Texas | 40 | 3.4% |
| 3 | Brewster County | Texas | 38 | 3.2% |
| 4 | Coconino County | Arizona | 35 | 2.9% |
| 5 | Val Verde County | Texas | 33 | 2.8% |
| 6 | Washoe County | Nevada | 32 | 2.7% |
| 7 | Mono County | California | 26 | 2.2% |
| 8 | Jeff Davis County | Texas | 26 | 2.2% |
| 9 | Inyo County | California | 24 | 2.0% |
| 10 | Yavapai County | Arizona | 22 | 1.8% |
| 11 | Washington County | Utah | 22 | 1.8% |
| 12 | Cameron County | Texas | 21 | 1.8% |
| 13 | Doña Ana County | New Mexico | 20 | 1.7% |
| 14 | San Juan County | Utah | 20 | 1.7% |
| 15 | Clark County | Nevada | 19 | 1.6% |
How recent are the striped whipsnake records?
The striped whipsnake record leans on older material: only 13% of dated U.S. records come from 2017–2026, and the median record is from 1971. The oldest dated record is from 1872; the busiest year was 1972, with 70 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 5 | 0.5% |
| 1880s | 2 | 0.2% |
| 1890s | 6 | 0.6% |
| 1900s | 14 | 1.3% |
| 1910s | 29 | 2.7% |
| 1920s | 44 | 4.1% |
| 1930s | 99 | 9.1% |
| 1940s | 66 | 6.1% |
| 1950s | 97 | 8.9% |
| 1960s | 142 | 13.1% |
| 1970s | 165 | 15.2% |
| 1980s | 84 | 7.7% |
| 1990s | 53 | 4.9% |
| 2000s | 70 | 6.5% |
| 2010s | 92 | 8.5% |
| 2020s | 117 | 10.8% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 94 counties where the striped whipsnake is most recorded, 85 are also top counties for the gopher snake, more than for any other snake. Venomous species among its neighbors: the western rattlesnake and the prairie rattlesnake.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Gopher snake | 85 |
| Western rattlesnake venomous | 49 |
| Western terrestrial garter snake | 48 |
| Coachwhip | 42 |
| Long-nosed snake | 40 |
| Prairie rattlesnake venomous | 36 |
| Western ground snake | 36 |
| Glossy snake | 35 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Masticophis with profiles here: Coachwhip, Striped racer and Sonoran whipsnake.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.