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bajabuddha
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There's a very large lava flow area (most of NM, as a fact) on Ted Turner's Armendaris Ranch, and several creatures have adapted a blacker-than-usual
tint to their flesh due to their natural environment.... and no, not in just the last 4,600 years. It's called Evolution. Baja is covered mostly in
a basaltic 'cap' from the volcanism that happened when it split from mainland. Many creatures, especially reptiles have changed their colors and
adapted to their environment over millennia, and as ^ many pics already posted show, each species can adapt to different colors in different environs.
Many guesses are good. Any true herpetologists out there?
Personally I think its' name is either Lt. Dan, or Barbara... my 1st ex-wife. 
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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Russ
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David K, I am no expert for sure. You have shown some really wild variations of of both that I never encountered before. So I'm going to pass at
telling you what it is. However I'm calling it a Baja coachwhip.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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Enrique2012
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It's a common racer, looks to be a juvenile from the coloring, and is often referred to as a black racer.
Although the racer looks similar to the coachwhip, it's actually a different species. It looks nothing like a gopher snake.
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David K
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In McPeak's book, the only kind of Racer, is a Striped Racer:
[Edited on 3-10-2017 by David K]
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Russ
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One of the URL's I posted said the racers are just another common name for the coachwips.
Bahia Concepcion where life starts...given a chance!
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David K
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Thanks for that Russ... Yes, a Coachwhip looks closer than a Striped Racer.
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philodog
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Coachwhip sounds good to me. It definitely had no side stripe. Thanks for the research and knowledge!
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tehag
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Baja California Coachwhip - Masticophis fuliginosus - Chirrionera
These three 6-footers were in a storm drain together a couple of years ago. As one can see, they are not exactly alike. They have a mottled appearance
from nose tip to about 8 to 10 inches back and then are fairly solidly colored the rest of their length.
Racers and Coachwhips are all Masticophis.
Certainty is the child of ignorance, knowledge is the mother of doubt. Question everything!
http://bcsbirds.com |
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David K
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So, is that what the snake was in the first photos, tehag?
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tehag
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Yes DK, I believe so.
Certainty is the child of ignorance, knowledge is the mother of doubt. Question everything!
http://bcsbirds.com |
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marv sherrill
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It's still a black racer - we have lots of them at our house on the beach in LA Bay - (coachwhip is also used as a common name, but usually for the
red racer) - Head same thickness as the neck, mottled coloration in the neck area, and holds its head up as is travels at a good clip. They are not
constrictors and therefore cannot kill mice etc, but prey mostly on lizards and smaller snakes.
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Nashville Frank
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Quote: Originally posted by philodog  | I found this little guy in the desert just north of G.Negro and am hoping for a positive species ID. It was about two feet long, skinny and mostly
black except for the head. Any snake experts out there? Two suggestions so far have been gopher snake and black racer
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When I first saw it, it made me think gopher snake from my Arizona and California days.
But, then I ran across this common description of gopher snakes:
"A dark stripe runs from in front of the eye to the angle of the jaw"
This is missing in the mystery snake.
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Master Jeff
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Author, you are so brave to make these pics so close!! I am such a coward, can't stand snakes and spiders.
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Pappy Jon
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I agree with Russ. Doesn't look like a gopher/bull snake to me. Coachwhip or racer are common names.
"The association of flowers and warm-blooded love is more than a romantic convention; it is based upon one of the great advances in the evolution
of life." Ed Abbey
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David K
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Nice site Jon... Here is the page just for Baja: http://www.californiaherps.com/baja2.html
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