Masticophis flagellum flagellum | |
---|---|
Eastern coachwhip Masticophis flagellum flagellum | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Masticophis |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | M. f. flagellum |
Trinomial name | |
Masticophis flagellum flagellum Shaw, 1802 | |
Synonyms | |
Masticophis flagellum flagellum, commonly known as the Eastern coachwhip, is a subspecies of M. flagellum , a nonvenomous, colubrid snake, endemic to the southern United States. [5] [6]
The subspecies ranges from North Carolina to Florida in the east, and from eastern Kansas to eastern Texas in the west. They are notably absent from the Mississippi Delta, which divides their range into two separate groupings. [5]
Adults are long and slender, ranging from 50 to 72 inches (130–180 cm) in total length. The longest on record was 102 inches (260 cm). They are among North America's largest native snakes. The head and neck are usually black, fading to tan posteriorly. Some specimens may lack the dark head and neck pigmentation. [5] [6] Their smooth scales and coloration give the appearance of a braided whip, hence the common name. [6]
The subspecies can be found in a wide variety of habitats, but is most abundant in the southeastern coastal plain. Its preferred habitat includes sandy pine woodlands, pine-palmetto flatwoods, cedar glades, and along creeks, marshes and swamplands. [5] [6] [7] M. flagellum adults and juveniles can be found in suburban neighborhoods where development encroaches on favorable habitats [8] A study done in southwestern Georgia found that the average home-range for the coachwhip is around 102.9 ± 28 ha. [9] As they are open canopy specialists, coachwhips are good at returning to habitats soon after fires. [10]
The Eastern coachwhip is an active, fast-moving snake. This colubrid snake can reach speeds up to 5.8 km/h with their streamlined body 4. It is diurnal and hunts it prey by smell and sight. It frequently hunts with its head raised above the ground and vegetation, and unlike most snakes, visually locks onto its prey's position before capture. Eastern coachwhips do not constrict their prey but will manipulate it to eat head first4. Following capture, the snake swallows its prey alive. It has strong jaws with rows of small, inward slanting teeth. It has sometimes been observed to beat its prey against the ground in an apparent effort to stun it prior to swallowing. Prey items include birds, large insects, lizards, other snakes, and small mammals. [6] [7] This snake has also been observed feeding on carrion. [11]
The breeding seasons spans from June through August, in which females produce one clutch of 4-24 eggs with an average of 11. Males reach sexual maturity at age 1 whereas females do not attain sexual maturity until age 3. Courtship behavior from males instigates copulation with a female, which can last up to 130 min. Mating system is polyandrous, meaning that although females will only produce one clutch of eggs, they will mate with multiple males over the breeding period. Males have been observed displaying territorial behavior in an attempt to prevent any further copulation from other males. The gestation period is around 77.5 days after which the female lays the eggs in a small animals burrow, no parental care is shown. [12]
A common myth is that the Eastern coachwhip will intentionally attack people and whip them with its tail. This is false. [5] [13] In truth, when disturbed this snake will usually quickly flee. It will sometimes vibrate the tip of its tail among the ground litter, making a sound suggestive of a rattlesnake. If trapped, it will aggressively defend itself, striking repeatedly and biting. [6]
Pantherophis obsoletus, also known commonly as the western rat snake, black rat snake, pilot black snake, or simply black snake, is a nonvenomous species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to central North America. There are no subspecies that are recognized as being valid. Its color variations include the Texas rat snake. Along with other snakes of the eastern United States, like the eastern indigo snake and the eastern racer, it is called “black snake”.
The eastern indigo snake is a species of large, non-venomous snake in the family Colubridae. Native to the southeastern United States, it is the longest native snake species in the country.
Drymarchon is a genus of large nonvenomous colubrid snakes, commonly known as indigo snakes or cribos, found in the Southeastern United States, Central America, and South America.
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. Six subspecies are recognized, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Masticophis is a genus of colubrid snakes, commonly referred to as whip snakes or coachwhips, which are endemic to the Americas. They are characterized by having a long, thin body and are not dangerous to humans.
Diadophis punctatus, commonly known as the ring-necked snake or ringneck snake, is a harmless species of colubrid snake found throughout much of the United States, central Mexico, and south-eastern Canada. Ring-necked snakes are secretive, nocturnal snakes, so are rarely seen during the day time. They are best known for their unique defense posture of curling up their tails, exposing their bright red-orange posterior, ventral surface when threatened.
Carphophis is a genus of small colubrid snakes endemic to the United States. The genus consists of two species, one of which has two subspecies.
Opheodrys aestivus, commonly known as the rough green snake, is a nonvenomous North American colubrid. It is sometimes called grass snake or green grass snake, but these names are more commonly applied to the smooth green snake. The European colubrid called grass snake is unrelated. The rough green snake is docile, often allowing close approach by humans, and seldom bites. Even when bites occur, they have no venom and are harmless.
The mud snake is a species of nonvenomous, semiaquatic, colubrid snake endemic to the southeastern United States.
Pituophis melanoleucus, commonly known as the eastern pine snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. Three subspecies are currently recognized as being valid.
The California whipsnake, also known as the striped racer, is a colubrid snake found in habitats of the coast, desert, and foothills of California.
The Louisiana pine snake is a species of large, non-venomous, constrictor in the family Colubridae. This powerful snake is notable because of its large eggs and small clutch sizes. The Louisiana pine snake is indigenous to west-central Louisiana and East Texas, where it relies strongly on Baird's pocket gophers for its burrow system and as a food source. The Louisiana pine snake is rarely seen in the wild, and is considered to be one of the rarest snakes in North America. The demise of the species is due to its low fecundity coupled with the extensive loss of suitable habitat - the longleaf pine savannas in the Gulf coastal plain of the southeastern United States. Management activities are being conducted to promote the species' recovery.
Farancia erytrogramma is a species of large, nonvenomous, highly aquatic, colubrid snake, which is endemic to coastal plains of the southeastern United States. Two subspecies are recognized as being valid, one of which has been declared extinct.
The striped whipsnake is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. It is closely related to the California whipsnake. The striped whipsnake is native to the western United States and adjacent northern Mexico.
Lampropeltis getula, commonly known as the eastern kingsnake, common kingsnake, or chain kingsnake, is a harmless colubrid species endemic to the United States and Mexico. It has long been a favorite among collectors. Nine subspecies are currently recognized, including the nominate subspecies described here.
The Florida crowned snake is a species of colubrid snake found in Florida and Georgia. It is a small, slender, non-venomous snake that is rarely seen. The species is commonly found in north and central Florida, and is most often associated with sandy habitats.
The southeastern crown snake is a common species of small colubrid snake endemic to the southeastern United States.
Lampropeltis rhombomaculata, commonly known as the mole kingsnake or the brown kingsnake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. It is a relatively medium-sized snake that occupies a variety of habitats from Baltimore, Maryland, south through the Florida Panhandle and west into Mississippi and Tennessee.
Pantherophis alleghaniensis, commonly called the eastern rat snake, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America.
The Alameda whipsnake, also known as the Alameda striped racer, is a threatened subspecies of California whipsnake. It is a colubrid snake distinguishable by its broad head, large eyes, black and orange coloring with a yellow stripe down each side, and slender neck. The California whipsnake is found in California's northern and coastal chaparral. The Alameda whipsnake is a wary creature known for its speed and climbing abilities utilized when escaping predators or hunting prey. In winter months, the Alameda whipsnake hibernates in rock crevices and rodent burrows.
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