Sonoran whipsnake (Masticophis bilineatus)
The Sonoran whipsnake is a non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. GBIF holds 568 licensed U.S. records of it; it reaches our listing threshold in 2 states, most of all Arizona (549) and New Mexico (18). Its observation records peak in August.
Is the Sonoran whipsnake poisonous or venomous?
No. The Sonoran whipsnake is non-venomous: it belongs to the family Colubridae, not to the pit vipers or coral snakes, the only U.S. land snakes with medically dangerous venom. It may bite if handled; clean the bite like any small wound.
Which states have the Sonoran whipsnake?
The Sonoran whipsnake's U.S. record is concentrated: Arizona alone holds 97% of licensed records. It is listed in 2 states in all; the next are New Mexico (18).
The count includes 94 records filed under the older name Coluber bilineatus in Arizona (90) and New Mexico (4).
| # | State | Records | Share of state snakes | Rank in state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | 549 | 2.7% | 14th of 60 |
| 2 | New Mexico | 18 | 0.3% | 37th of 56 |
When is the Sonoran whipsnake seen?
Across the U.S., observation records of the Sonoran whipsnake run mostly April through September, peaking in August with 24% of them. Almost none are from December to February.
How recent are the Sonoran whipsnake records?
The Sonoran whipsnake record leans on older material: only 20% of dated U.S. records come from 2017–2026, and the median record is from 1985. The oldest dated record is from 1892; the busiest year was 1920, with 22 records.
| Decade | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1890s | 7 | 2.1% |
| 1910s | 6 | 1.8% |
| 1920s | 25 | 7.4% |
| 1930s | 14 | 4.2% |
| 1940s | 10 | 3.0% |
| 1950s | 18 | 5.4% |
| 1960s | 33 | 9.8% |
| 1970s | 39 | 11.6% |
| 1980s | 33 | 9.8% |
| 1990s | 32 | 9.5% |
| 2000s | 34 | 10.1% |
| 2010s | 27 | 8.0% |
| 2020s | 58 | 17.3% |
Species recorded in the same counties
Of the 13 counties where the Sonoran whipsnake is most recorded, 13 are also top counties for each of the first four snakes in the table below; no other snake shares more. Venomous species among its neighbors: the black-tailed rattlesnake, the Mohave rattlesnake and the prairie rattlesnake.
| Species | Shared counties |
|---|---|
| Black-tailed rattlesnake venomous | 13 |
| Glossy snake | 13 |
| Gopher snake | 13 |
| Ring-necked snake | 13 |
| Blackneck garter snake | 12 |
| Long-nosed snake | 12 |
| Mohave rattlesnake venomous | 12 |
| Prairie rattlesnake venomous | 12 |
Related species in the U.S.
Other species of the genus Masticophis with profiles here: Coachwhip, Striped racer and Striped whipsnake.
GBIF records read 2026-09-29. Listed: any license. Counted: CC0/CC BY only. How we count.