Coachwhip / Whipsnake
Neotropical Whip Snake
HarmlessMasticophis mentovarius
5 photographs of the Neotropical Whip Snake. © Carlos Martínez.
The Neotropical Whip Snake (Masticophis mentovarius) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Also called
- Coachwhip / Whipsnake
- Family
- Colubridae
- Size
- Very slender, 3–6 ft.
- Habitat
- Open deserts, grasslands, and scrub.
- Behavior
- Fast, alert, day-active visual hunters that flee rapidly when approached.
- Identify
- Long, whip-thin body; coachwhips often show a braided-whip tail pattern.
About the Neotropical Whip Snake
Masticophis mentovarius, the neotropical whip snake, is a species of snake found in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Neotropical Whip Snake
- Is the Neotropical Whip Snake venomous?
- No. The Neotropical Whip Snake (Masticophis mentovarius) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Neotropical Whip Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Neotropical Whip Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Neotropical Whip Snake dangerous?
- The Neotropical Whip Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Neotropical Whip Snake live?
- The Neotropical Whip Snake has verified records in 11 countries, including Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- How do I identify the Neotropical Whip Snake?
- Long, whip-thin body; coachwhips often show a braided-whip tail pattern.
- How big does the Neotropical Whip Snake get?
- Very slender, 3–6 ft.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Common CoachwhipMasticophis flagellum
Striped RacerMasticophis lateralis
Striped WhipsnakeMasticophis taeniatus
Sonoran WhipsnakeMasticophis bilineatus
Schott's WhipsnakeMasticophis schotti
Baja California CoachwhipMasticophis fuliginosus
Clarion Island Whip SnakeMasticophis anthonyi
Baja California Striped Whip SnakeMasticophis aurigulus
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Masticophis
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Masticophis mentovarius
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.