Common Coachwhip vs. North American Racer

Both are long, fast, slender snakes with smooth scales that hunt by day. ADULTS. A: Nebraska Coachwhips are light brown to reddish or pinkish tan; Nebraska Racers are plain olive, blue-grey or brown above (black farther east). B: the Racer has a plain white or yellow chin and belly; the Coachwhip's neck may show dark crossbands. The Coachwhip grows longer (over 5 ft) and its tail scales look braided. YOUNG. Both start out patterned. C: the young Coachwhip has narrow dark crossbars, often paired, on the forebody, fading to plain brown on the rear half; the young Racer has a row of rounded brown saddles down the back and small dark spots on the sides, the pattern fading only on the tail. D: the young Coachwhip's head scales are edged in pale, giving a netted head; the young Racer's head is speckled with dark spots, with a white lip.

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