Coachwhip Snake: What You Need to Know About This Southern U.S. Serpent

The Coachwhip snake is an interesting reptile. Here's all there is to know about this reptile and its life history.
The Coachwhip snake has a unique history as a resident of the southern United States. Coachwhips are a fairly slender but unduly fast snake that can sometimes reach eight feet in length. The coachwhip has a pattern of scales on the tail that resembles a braided whip, giving this species of snake its common name.
It lives and breeds from southeastern North Carolina to central California.
One of the reasons why this reptile loves its southern lifestyle is the fact that it is diurnal, or mostly active during the daylight hours. They are also very much at home during the hottest part of the year; more so than other snakes.
Let's discuss what the Masticophis flagellum is all about, including breaking a couple of myths about the snake. We'll share a little more about their natural history, including what they look like and where they live, with some references from the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory.

[@honeytoone8610]

We just saw one in south Texas this afternoon while checking on a new calf!!!

[@gigibeauchamp]

Saw one in NE Texas crossing a rural road so fast that it cleared it's 4+ ft body from left to right (chasing a rodent) before I could even react to what I'd seen... and it was only about 100 yrds away when it came out of the grass. Crazy fast snake and it looked to have been gaining on its next meal

[@MsCNail-fe1sj]

My dog just alerted me today to a Coachwhip. It was about 4.5 ft. long and was standing up about a ft. and 1/2 warning my dog. Freaked me out she was so close to our Shih-Tzu. I grabbed my dog and it heading for a hedge in our yard. My husband hit the hedge several times and out popped the snake to see what was going on. I have never seen a snake move so fast...it was gone from the yard in a couple of seconds. It seemed to be chasing a rather large Texas Lizard in our Oak tree. The lizard was very lucky we came along.

[@billybob9269]

I have one just caught it today thanks for the info yes there extremely fast even closing the cage is tuff . Lol

[@stephanielorene0]

I killed one yesterday, 5 feet long. It was going after my bosses lizards. It struck at me when got it with the shovel.

[@sonakmalelatv]

all the snakes are venomous my friend