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.