Eastern Coachwhip

Skip to main content VISIT LEARN COLLECTIONS + RESEARCH NEWS + BLOGS ABOUT + SUPPORT Florida Museum Search SUBMIT Search For Educators Discover FLORIDA SNAKE ID GUIDE Eastern Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum flagellum Identify a Florida Snake How to safely coexist with snakes Venomous snake statement Responsible snake ownership About this guide Learn about other Florida reptiles & amphibians Museum herpetology collection NON-VENOMOUS Other common names Coachwhip, Racer Basic description Most adult Coachwhips are about 42-60 inches (107-152 cm) in total length. This is a very long and slender snake with large and prominent eyes that have yellow irises. Adults typically have a dark brown or black head, neck, and anterior (front) part of the body, which changes to light tan posteriorly. Juveniles are brown or tan with indistinct dark crossbands down the neck and back. long snake with tan body and black headlong thin tan snake with blue eye.snake with its head raised above the grass. Range in Florida Coachwhips are found throughout mainland Florida in every county. However, they are not known to occur on the Florida Keys, and they appear absent from much of the wetlands south of Lake Okeechobee. Assessment of risk to people and pets Non-Venomous. Coachwhips are not dangerous to people or pets, but they will readily bite to defend themselves. Coachwhips are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. Virtually all bites occur when the snakes are intentionally molested. Comparison with other species Eastern Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi) Non-venomous two images side by side - Image 1: Eastern Indigo Snake - blue-black snake with red marking under its jaw. Image 2: Eastern coachwhip - snake with its head raised above the grass. Eastern Indigo Snake. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson Adult Eastern Coachwhip with black head and neck and tan body exhibiting periscoping behavior. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) Non-venomous two images side by side - Image 1: North American Racer - coiled blue-black snake. Image 2: Eastern coachwhip - snake with its head raised above the grass. North American Racer. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith Adult Eastern Coachwhip with black head and neck and tan body exhibiting periscoping behavior. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith Detailed Description Habitat Defensive behavior Diet and feeding behavior Reproduction Comments Florida counties with confirmed records References and further reading Share your observations You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist. Additional helpful information Do you have snakes around your house? Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes. Still have questions about snakes or identifications? Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile. Banner photo courtesy of Jennifer Cundiff. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy. CONTACT INFO Email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum of Natural History FLORIDA MUSEUM NEWSLETTERS SUBSCRIBE NOW MUSEUM INFO Hours, Tickets + Directions Staff Directory LEGAL © Copyright 2024 Contact the Web Manager This page uses Google Analytics Google Privacy Policy UF Privacy Policy Log In Page Last Updated: 09/08/2021 Florida Museum of Natural History logo University of Florida logo Facebook logo Twitter logo Instagram logo YouTube logo Pinterest logo LinkedIn logo Tripadvisor logo

Share your observations You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist.