Natural History

Striped Whip Snakes can be found throughout the west, and are generally found in grasslands and dry brushy flatland to rugged mountainous terrain dominated by pinyon-juniper and open pine-oak woodlands at elevations from sea level to 9,400 feet. The snakes prefer moist areas near streams, where they forage. They often use rocky outcrops, rodent burrows, vegetation for shelter.
 

Whipsnakes prey on lizards, snakes, frogs, insects, small birds and rodents. Occasionally, a small venomous snake may be eaten. During the day, it hunts with head held high, scanning for possible prey. The snakes typically breed in early spring using abandoned rodent burrows as nesting sites. Females laying between 3-12 eggs in June or July. The young hatch in late summer and are about 15 inches long. Males mature faster than females and reach breeding age in two years, and the females, at three years of age.