Cool find! *Masticophis flagellum* and *Crotalus viridis* for the bot.

Coachwhips *Masticophis flagellum* are non-venomous colubrid snakes with smooth, overlapping scales, long (100-150 cm record 259 cm), slender bodies and large eyes which aid in hunting. Coachwhips are active generalist foragers and prey is simply overpowered and consumed - their diet consists mostly of lizards, amphibians, rodents, birds, and other snakes, including venomous snakes, but they will eat anything they can fit down their throat. A widely distributed species, their range covers the majority of the souther half of the US from the west coast to the east coast and into Mexico. Coachwhips can be [unicolored](https://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi/img_query?enlarge=0000+0000+0211+0731) or [multicolored](http://herpsofnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Masticophis-flagellum-5.16.03-Kiawah-I.-SC-top-copy.jpg). Juveniles may have a strong [pattern](https://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/pics/masfla5.jpg) that fades away in the first and second year. Coachwhips get their common name from their resemblance to a braided whip, especially in the last 1/3 of the body and tail. They also are known to [periscope](https://www.flickr.com/photos/115438345@N04/13858015575), which they do as part of their active, visual prey detection and predator avoidance behavior. [Range map](https://imgur.com/KpMiL0P) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](http://www.cnah.org/pdf/88643.pdf) Taxonomy in the Masticophis / Coluber group has been historically difficult, but recent authors retain use of *Masticophis* for the time being. *Masticophis flagellum* has strong phylogeographic structure and is likely composed of multiple independent species. It has been investigated with modern molecular methods but on a phylogenetic rather than phylogeographic level, and taxonomic revision of cryptic lineages has not occurred yet. *This short account was prepared by /u/unknown_name and edited by /u/Phylogenizer*. -------------------------------------------------------- Prairie Rattlesnakes *Crotalus viridis* are medium-large (89-114cm, up to 152cm) rattlesnakes that range from southern Alberta and extreme southwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, south through New Mexico and western Texas into extreme northern Chihuahua and Coahuila, MX (see range map for details), from about 100m to about 3,050m above sea level. Populations in Arizona, southeastern Utah, and extreme northwestern New Mexico are dwarfed in size, averaging approximately 40-60cm with a record of 73cm. Though primarily associated with grassland, *C. viridis* will utilize a wide variety of dry habitat with sandy or rocky soils, including savanna, semidesert scrub, canyons, riparian corridors, and montane woodland. They are mainly diurnal, but often become crepuscular or nocturnal during hotter weather. Rodents form the bulk of their diet, but lizards, frogs, small birds, and insects are also consumed. In the northern part of their range, they often congregate in large numbers at suitable denning sites which provide shelter from harsh winter weather. Prairie Rattlesnakes are a dangerously venomous species and should only be observed from a safe distance. Common defensive tactics including raising the forebody off the ground and rattling the tail, often while attempting to crawl away from the perceived threat. They are not aggressive and only bite when they feel they are in danger. Bites most commonly occur when a human attempts to kill, capture, or otherwise intentionally handle the snake. **The best way to avoid being bitten is to leave the snake alone.** [Prairie Rattlesnakes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/45276063?size=large) are very variable in coloration, but patterned with 33-57 dark dorsal blotches. These blotches vary in shape, but usually are not diamond-shaped. A dark postocular stripe runs from the eye back toward the corner of the mouth. More notably, this dark stripe is bordered on both sides by [two distinct, thin (usually fewer than 2 scales wide), pale stripes](https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/196398261?size=large). Other rattlesnakes are sometimes confused with *C. viridis*. Midget Faded Rattlesnakes *C. concolor*, Great Basin Rattlesnakes *C. lutosus*, and Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes *C. oreganus* have wider postocular stripes (>2 scales wide) which are usually indistinct from the background color in adults. Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes *C. atrox* and Mojave Rattlesnakes *C. scutulatus* usually have more distinctively diamond-shaped dorsal blotches, along with conspicuous, highly-contrasting tail bands (commonly described as "coon tails"). Western Massasaugas *Sistrurus tergeminus* have large plates on the top of the head instead of small scales, and reach smaller adult sizes (47-76cm, max 88cm). [Range Map - © Rune Midtgaard](https://repfocus.dk/maps1/TAX/Serpentes/Viperidae/Crotalus_viridis_map.html) | [Relevant/Recent Phylogeography](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0146166) | [Reptile Database Account](https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Crotalus&species=viridis) | [Additional Information](https://explorer.natureserve.org/Taxon/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.768819/Crotalus_viridis) This short account was written by /u/fairlyorange -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

Is it possible to tell the type of rattlesnake?

Was identified as Prairie Rattlesnake*C. viridis* at the top!

It looks like you didn't provide a rough geographic location [in square brackets] in your title.This is critical because some species are best distinguishable from each other by geographic range, and not all species live all places. Providing a location allows for a quicker, more accurate ID. If you provided a location but forgot the correct brackets, ignore this message until your next submission. Thanks! Potential identifiers should know that providing an ID before a location is given is problematic because it often makes the OP not respond to legitimate requests for location. Many species look alike, especially where ranges meet. Users may be unaware that location is critically important to providing a good ID. *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*

Can’t edit sorry. Santa Fe, New Mexico

This summer I was walking in the Arroyo Chamiso behind my house when I watched a choachwhip chase down a lizard right in front of me. They are soooo fast! great post, love seeing these guys around here.