Masticophis fuliginosus
Silhouette: Alex Slavenko · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~40% in a week ~70%
The Baja California coachwhip (Masticophis fuliginosus), also known simply as the Baja coachwhip, is a species of non-venomous snake found in Mexico and the United States. A large and fast moving snake species, the Baja California coachwhip typically reaches lengths between 2-4.3 ft (24-52 in). This species comes in a few color morphs, some of which are region-specific. Throughout their entire range, individuals can have a sleek all-black coloration. Or they can be a dull yellow, with a black or brown head and neck area. In the more southern portions of their range, they may be light grayish-white with a black or brown head and neck. In all morphs, the underbellies are light yellow to white. In California, the black and the yellow morphs are observed. Along the Baja peninsula, any of morphs can be observed. All the morphs throughout their range may have various levels of mottling. The body plan is very similar to a closely related species, the coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum). They share large forward facing eyes (which allows great vision and depth perception), slender proportions, and a long tapering tail. Both have large scales above the eyes and a braided appearance... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cabo Pulmo National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 2 | Bahía de Loreto National Park | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 3 | El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico |
Possible
About 20% of wildlife watchers report a Baja California Coachwhip sighting in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve on a given day, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 8th most-seen of the 20 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 40%, and over a week to about 70%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March and August
In those months about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Baja California Coachwhip in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve on a given day, against under 5% in April–June, September and November–January, the lowest months.
Between 11 am and 2 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Baja California Coachwhip sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 3 parks where we can rate Baja California Coachwhip sightings, El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve ranks 3rd at about 20%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Cabo Pulmo National Park (Mexico, about 20%) and Bahía de Loreto National Park (Mexico, about 20%).
Same family: Colubridae
The closest relatives of the Baja California Coachwhip that you can see in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve (family Colubridae, Colubrid Snakes) are Cape Gopher Snake (about 20%), Western Patch-nosed Snake (about 20%) and Variable Sand Snake (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Baja California Coachwhip is recorded against all the reptiles logged in El Vizcaíno Biosphere Reserve (10 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
