|
The California whipsnake (''Masticophis lateralis'') and also known as the striped racer, is a colubrid snake found in habitats of the coast, desert, and foothills of California. ==Description== ''M. lateralis'' is long. It is slender, with two yellowish stripes along its back, set against a dark brown or black back. California whipsnakes are known to eat a variety of live animals including insects, lizards, snakes, birds, and small mammals.〔Stebbins 2003〕〔Swaim, K.E., 1994. Aspects of the Ecology of the Alameda Whipsnake (Masticophis lateralis euryxanthus. Upublished Master's Thesis, California State University, Hayward. 140 pp.〕 They show a strong preference for lizards, which are captured by a grasp of the mouth.〔 They grab their prey and swallow it alive. This species is fast-moving, diurnal, and an active forager. It commonly moves over and through brush and trees to avoid predation and to capture prey.〔 The California whipsnake has been observed moving into the top of scrub plants after emerging from nightly retreats to gain access to direct sunlight before the sunlight reached ground level. It is not venomous, but likely to strike if captured. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア(Wikipedia)』 ■ウィキペディアで「California whipsnake」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|