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Red Racer or Coachwhip Snake

Red Racer or Coachwhip Snake line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Red Racer or Coachwhip Snake full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Red Racer Snake was completed on 1.17.10. This reptile drawing (the B&W version) is part of a series of illustrations that will accompany an upcoming article in Los Angeles magazine about the animals and plants you'll find the the deserts east of the city. Like all snakes, the Red Racer was challenging due to the concentric patterns of scales.

Information about the Red Racer Snake:

The Red Racer Snake - also called the Red Coachwhip - is a reptile common to the Mojave Desert of the US. While named the Red Racer, the coloration of the snake can vary from gray to pink to tan. As the snake ages it becomes more and more redish. They are relatively fast snakes with speeds of up to seven miles an hour. They feed mostly on lizards, smaller snakes, birds, and small mammals. They are active during the day and can often be seen basking on rocks and roadways in the desert. While the Red Racer is not poisonous, it can deliver a nasty bite so handling these snakes is not recommended.