Common Name: 
Eastern Coachwhip

Scientific Name: 
Masticophis flagellum

Identification: 25-90 in; Head to midbody usually dark brown or black becoming tan on the body or tail.  Scales are smooth and give the appearance of a braided whip.  Some individuals are all black; belly dirty white or pink.

Habits: Coachwhips are fast moving snakes and live in dry, open pinelands. They bite vigorously when captured and are good climbers, sometimes retreating to trees and shrubs.

Distribution: Upland portions of the Florida Parishes, central and northern Louisiana and the pine flatwoods west of Lake Charles.