Endtuujwed Species facts
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Alameda Whipsnake MasUarpkk lateralis mryxasvtkm
Pkofo uniYcs: ©CfOjry Nafu, wuw.caUfvmMikei^.cmi
The Alameda whipsnake is a
threatened species. Threatened
species are plants and animals
whose population numbers are
so low that they may become
endangered in the future.
Endangered species are
plants and animals that are
in immediate danger of
becoming extinct.
The U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's (EPA)
Endangered Species Protection
Program (ESPP) will help
ensure that pesticide use does
not jeopardize the survival of
listed species.
Description and Ecology
Status Threatened, listed December 5, 1997.
Critical Habitat Designated October 2, 2006.
Appearance There are two subspecies of Masticophis
lateralis. The more common chaparral whipsnake, Masticophis
lateralis lateralis (which has a more extensive distribution
in California and Baja California) is similar to the Alameda
whipsnake, Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus, but the latter
has some distinguishing characteristics. Both are slender,
have slender necks, and large heads and eyes. However, the
color along the back of the Alameda whipsnake is sooty black,
while the chaparral whipsnake is more olive-brown-black. The
Alameda whipsnake has a wider and more-orange, yellow
lateral stripe. The undersides of both are similar—orange-
rufous colored toward the head, cream at the midsection,
and pinkish at the rear and tail - but the Alameda whipsnake
lacks distinct spotting on the underside of the head and neck
and lacks a dark line across the scale near the tip of the nose.
The light stripe that runs from the tip of its nose to its eye is
uninterrupted.
The Alameda whipsnake is diurnal. It moves swiftly with its
head held high above the ground, occasionally moving it from
side to side perhaps to assist its depth perception.
Range It is likely that the range of the Alameda whipsnake
has always been very restricted, limited to the coastal scrub
and oak woodland communities of the East Bay in Contra
Costa, Alameda, and parts of San Joaquin and Santa Clara
Counties, CA. Its range remains relatively similar, but is
now smaller ana highly fragmented due to habitat loss and
alteration. The current distribution has been fragmented into
five populations; the Tilden-Briones, Oakland-Las Trampas,
and Mount Diablo-Black Hills populations in Contra Costa
County, the Hayward-Pleasanton Ridge population in Alameda
County, and the Sunol-Cedar Mountain population largely in
Alameda County with extensions into San Joaquin and Santa
Clara Counties. There is believed to be little or no interchange
between these populations. Critical habitat was designated
for the Alameda whipsnake in 2006, and the units generally
correspond to these known populations.
Habitat Alameda whipsnakes inhabit local variations of
chaparral—coastal sage scrub and northern coastal scrub.
Although their home range centers on shrub communities,
they venture as much as 500 feet into adjacent grasslands,
oak savanna and oak-bay, open woodlands. As woodland
canopies close and stands of vegetation grow tall and dense,
a cool environment evolves that the Alameda whipsnake
will then avoid. Rock outcrops and talus are characteristic
of whipsnake habitat. They offer cover for whipsnakes and
promote populations of their primary prey—lizards. Alameda
whipsnakes also use small rodent burrows, rock and soil
crevices, and brush and debris piles for retreat. They tend to
be found on southwest, south, and southeast oriented slopes.
Biology and Behavior The Alameda whipsnake is
an ectotherm. It might first emerge by sliding its head out
of its burrow into the sun. Then it will bask its whole body
until its temperature is 91.4-93.4°F. It has two annual peaks
in activity. The first extends from March, when it leaves
its hibernaculum, until mid-June, following courtship and
mating. Eggs are laid in clutches of 6-11, and will require
three months incubation. Hatchlings have been located during
the second smaller peak in activity, from August through
November. Afterwards, like mature snakes, they will seek out
a hibernaculum for winter hibernation.
This sleek swift snake captures equally swift prey such as
the western fence lizard and western skink. It takes its prey
quickly, holds it tight under the loops of its body and swallows
it without constriction. The Alameda whipsnake's home range
may have one or more core areas and specific retreats.
Alameda whipsnakes require 2-3 years to reach maturity, may
live for eight years and can reach a length of five feet. They
are good climbers, and are able to escape into scrub or trees.
Their predators are California king snakes, raccoons, striped
skunks, opossums, coyotes, gray foxes, red foxes, hawks,
feral pigs, dogs, cats, and cars.
Mtisticcpbk loterolk mryxouvthou
Office of Pesticide Programs (7507P)
http://www.epa.gov/espp/
February 2010

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Alameda Whipsnake Information Sources
Primary Reference Beacham, Walton, Castronova,
Frank F., and Sessine, Suzanne (eds.), 2001. Beacham's
Guide to the Endangered Species of North America, Gale
Group, New York. Vol. 1, pp. 650-652.
Listing Notice US. Fish and Wildlife Service 1997.
Federal Register 62, No. 234, pp. 64306-64320. December 5,
1997. http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/federal_register/fr3183.pdf
Critical Habitat Designation u.s. Fish and wildlife
Service. 2006. Federal Register 71, No. 190, pp. 58176-
58231. October 2, 2006. http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/
cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2006_register&docid=fr02oc06-
13
Species Account u.s. Fish and wildlife
Service, Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office, 2005.
http://www.fws.gov/sacramento/es/animal_.spp_acct/
alameda_whipsnake.pdf
AtaMeda.	turfntat in, Cmvtvo. Coifa Omtvfy, CA
©Gary Najuj wuw.cali^fujikw^.c#m
Adult Atame^a, wkij?make, Contra. C&sta., County
©Gary Naju, wmv.cati^MAkerpt.cmc
H-tMvtifty Alam^a, whtywiake/ ©Qary Najis, WMV.c&tijtrrnAAlier^.cMM,
	SEPA

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