The Eastern Coachwhip is a very impressive snake. They are long, slim snakes. It is our only species of snake in which the coloration varies substantially in the linear direction, that is, from from head to tail. The head and first half or so of the body is usually charcoal black. The black transitions from black to tan for the remainder of the body and tail. The tan scales are outlined in black. The overall appearance is that of a whip.
Ten Facts about Eastern Coachwhip
- Many adult specimens are of 4 to 5 foot in length. However, much longer specimens in the 7 to 8 foot range can be found.
- They grasp prey in their mouth and hold on. Sometimes they pin the prey to the ground by using a loop of the forebody.
- The name coachwhip comes from the fact that the coachwhip's tail looks like a braided whip such as the horse carriage driver's used.
- The eastern coachwhip is at home in open mixed woodlands, sandy pine woodlands, pine-palmetto scrublands, as well as along creeks, marshes and swamplands.
- A clutch may contain up to 2 dozen eggs.
- Most will bite readily, repeatedly and painfully.
- They have broad-based diet-small rodents, nestling birds, lizards, amphibians and even some insects.
- A temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit at night and 85 degrees during the day is ideal for these snakes.
- Predators are hawks, birds, snakes, foxes e.t.c.
- This is an abundant snake of the southeastern Coastal Plain. A second population ranges southward from southern Missouri and Oklahoma to eastern Texas and Louisiana. A small population occurs in south central Kentucky.
