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Coachwhip

Masticophis flagellum

Photo by DavidBraun
Published on Project Noah
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Field Notes

Description:

The coachwhip is a long, slender snake. It gets its name from its resemblance to the whip used by stagecoach drivers. It is variable in color throughout its range, but individuals at Saguaro National Park are usually almost completely black. An extremely fast moving snake, the coachwhip quickly seizes its prey and swallows it live. If caught, a coachwhip will become aggressive and may bite repeatedly until released. (From the Saguaro National Park website.)

Notes:

I spotted this snake only a few feet away from the Science Tent at the Saquaro National Park BioBlitz. It was stalking a lizard.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (4)
AshleyT
This is a beautiful snake!! Please be sure to add this to the Snakes of the United States – CSC mission to help with their citizen science project! http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/12027210
GeoffreyPalmer
Love the color of the eye with the black skin! Very cool! Consider adding your spotting to the Snakes of the Southwest Mission: http://www.projectnoah.org/missions/12491282
peter
Cool spotting David!
JudyCrawford
Lovely snake. If you read my post, you probably can tell I'm partial to the snakes of the AZ desert.

Spotted for Missions

Mission
BioBlitz: Saguaro National Park

Tags

Photographed
PublishedOctober 22, 2011

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