Animals of The Florida Scrub

eastern coachwhip
Masticophis flagellum

The eastern coachwhip occurs throughout the southeastern US, and is especially common in Florida scrub. They get up to 7' long, and are very slender. Coachwhips are active snakes with large eyes and quick reflexes. Unlike most snakes which slither around at night, coachwhips are diurnal (active during daylight hours). Coachwhips eat lizards and birds which they chase down or ambush. When pursued by an intrepid naturalist, the non-poisonous coachwhip will sometimes spurt up into a nearby shrub and try to bite the pursuer in the face!


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