Coachwhip
Coluber flagellum
Summary 5
Masticophis flagellum is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake, commonly referred to as the coachwhip or the whip snake, which is endemic to the United States and Mexico. Seven subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Coloration: 6
The dorsal background color can be highly variable, especially in Masticophis flagellum testaceus, ranging from black, red, yellow-tan, and even pink.
There are two subspecies of M. flagellum in Texas, each distinguished by its color pattern.
Some people suggest that the more darkly pigmented border of each dorsal scale (especially noticable on the tail) gives both subspecies a braided whip appearance.
Behavior: 6
Although non-venomous, a captured coachwhip will not hesitate to bite quickly and repeatedly, leaving a series of shallow gashes in its aggressor\'s flesh. They are extremely quick and agile, moving across open ground and thick brush with equal effort and speed. Diurnal hunters, their large eyes help them see movement across their terrain. An observer may catch a glimpse of a coachwhip "periscoping" as the snake lifts the anterior third of its body perpendicular to the ground, allowing the snake to survey the landscape above for any potential prey movement. They feed on many different types of vertebrate prey, ranging from lizards and other snakes, to small cottontail rabbits and birds. Coachwhips will frequently climb trees to eat nestling birds or to escape predators. They are active from March to November in the warmer parts of its range.
Habitat: 6
Although Masticophis f. testaceous is more commonly found in open areas such as grasslands and desert scrub, M. f. flagellum can occupy a wide range of habitats from swamps and creek bottoms to dry meadows.
General Distribution: 6
There are seven subspecies of Masticophis flagellum found throughout the southern half of the U.S. and the northern half of Mexico.
Texas Distribution: 6
In Texas, the two subspecies of Masticophis flagellum are found throughout the state, with the two subspecies share a wide zone of overlap in the central portion of the state.
Conservation Status: 6
The coachwhip is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Kerry Matz, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), http://www.flickr.com/photos/47456931@N07/4365148317
- (c) Peter Paplanus, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/2ndpeter/29641507005/
- (c) Jonathan Hakim, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/84335714@N07/7747405322/
- (c) Andrew DuBois, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/138578145@N04/36829411180/
- Adapted by Desmon M Dunn from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masticophis flagellum
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://www.inaturalist.org/guide_taxa/776601
