Sonoran Coachwhip - Masticophus flagellum cingulum
Coachwhips are found across the southern third of the Untied States, divided into multiple subspecies (this one, subspecies cingulum ) They vary in color from this red- banded-with-pink to green, grey, tan, pink, black, brown, olive, zigzag bands…
Coachwhips are considered by many to be the fastest moving snake. This snake, when upset, coils, hisses, shakes it's tail and strikes repeatedly at it's aggressor's face. (Obviously, not upset in these pictures…the snake lives here). Lives on grasshoppers, lizards, snakes and small rodents.
This is not a snake to fear, (none are really). Some irrational fear over rattlesnakes exists in the area, (southern Arizona. Studies show most rattler bites happen when drunken men are playing catch with the snake (I'm not kidding…really…drunken adults playing "catch the snake"), and the bites are rarely fatal.
This particular specimen was just over five feet long.