Whip snake
The coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) is a nonvenomous colubrid snake found only in the United States and Mexico. The primary myth concerning coachwhips, that they chase people, likely arises from the snake and the person both being frightened, and both just happening to be going the same way to escape. Coachwhips are fast snakes, often moving faster than a human, and thus give an impression of aggression should they move toward the person.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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NatatorialNatatorial animals are those adapted for swimming. Some fish use their pectoral fins as the primary means of locomotion, sometimes termed labriform...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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Non-venomousSo
SolitaryNo
Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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HibernatingHibernation is a state of minimal activity and metabolic depression undergone by some animal species. Hibernation is a seasonal heterothermy charac...
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starts withCoachwhips are thin-bodied snakes with small heads and large eyes with round pupils. They vary greatly in color, but most reflect a proper camouflage for their natural habitat. Some coachwhips are typically a shade of light brown with darker brown flecking, but in the western area of Texas, where the soil color is a shade of pink, they are also pink in color. Other coachwhips are frequently, but not always, have some red in their coloration. The common name of coachwhips comes from their smooth scales which are patterned so, at first glance, the snake has the appearance of a braided whip.
Coachwhips are found throughout the southern United States from coast to coast and in the northern half of Mexico. These snakes live in open areas with sandy soil like sandhill scrub and coastal dunes, but also in open pine forests, old fields, prairies, grassland and savanna, thorn forests, chaparral, and rocky areas.
Coachwhips are diurnal and solitary snakes that hibernate during the winter. They have a tolerance to heat and are most active during the hottest part of the day. At night and during cool weather these snakes hide in burrows or under logs or leaf litter. Coachwhips are curious creatures with good eyesight and are sometimes seen raising their heads above the level of the grass or rocks to see what is around them. They are extremely fast-moving snakes, able to move at 4-7 miles per hour (6-11 kmph). Coachwhips are terrestrial but they are also excellent climbers; they often take shelter in small trees or brush when escape predators. They tend to be sensitive to potential threats, and often bolt at the first sign of one, and will readily strike if cornered. Their bites can be painful, but generally are harmless unless they become infected, as is the case with any wound.
Coachwhips are carnivores and feed on lizards, small birds and their eggs, rodents, other snakes, and large insects.
The mating season of coachwhips starts after hibernation in early to mid-spring. Females lay 10-16 oblong eggs, usually in abandoned burrows underground. After the clutch of eggs is laid the female abandons it. The incubation period lasts around 6 to 11 weeks. The young are born fully developed and don't require parental care. They become reproductively mature at 3 years of age.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to IUCN, the coachwhip is locally common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
