It is a colubrid snake distinguishable by its broad head, large eyes, black and orange coloring with a yellow stripe down each side, and slender neck.

The Alameda whipsnake is a wary creature known for its speed and climbing abilities utilized when escaping predators or hunting prey.

Urban sprawl is increasing at a rapid rate, and introducing the snake to direct alteration like construction of development, and indirect like pets and public recreation.

The listing of the Alameda whipsnake as federally threatened increases the ability of public land agencies to promote conservation and management plans that take into consideration the specialized environmental and biological needs of this snake.

As it searches for food, the head and the front half of the body are held off of the ground for the most optimal vision to find prey.

Alameda whipsnakes are great climbers and are able to quickly move through trees and shrubs to hunt prey or escape predators (US Fish and Wildlife 2006).

Once the female lays her eggs, it will be about 3 months of incubation before the young appear in the late summer and into the fall (US Fish and Wildlife Service 2002).

[12] The Alameda whipsnake population has been fragmented into five mostly isolated subpopulations whose numbers are unknown, but which are certain to be rapidly declining as suitable habitat is lost to urban development.

Almost all trapping studies targeting this subspecies have been designed to determine presence or absence for regulatory purposes and assessing impacts to potential habitat.

As such, monitoring is most often habitat based; assuming snake abundance is positively correlated with the amount of coastal scrub or chaparral vegetation and rock lands present.

This subspecies inhabits a variety of different chaparral, which includes vegetation composed of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs, bushes, and small trees usually less than 2.5 m. The cover is typically dense and dry during the striped racer's peak activity.

Rock outcrops are favorable whipsnake habitats as well, as they provide dens, refuge for predators, and cool areas to escape from excessive heat.

[citation needed] Pest control efforts near protected habitat also introduces rodenticides, burrow fumigants, herbicides, and pesticides that may harm the Alameda Whipsnake directly.

The listing of the Alameda whipsnake as federally threatened will increase the ability of public land agencies to promote conservation and management plans that take into consideration the specialized environmental and biological needs of this snake.