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.