Coachwhip snake Masticophis flagellum)

They are thin-bodied snakes with small heads and large eyes with round pupils. They vary greatly in color, but most reflect a camouflage appropriate to their natural habitat. They are usually light brown with darker brown mottling, but in western Texas, where the soil color is lighter, they are also pink; there are some that have some red in their coloration. The scales are oriented, so at first sight the snake looks twisted.

Habitat: Coachwhips are commonly found in open fields with sandy soils, pine forests, meadows and plots, in dunes and in thickets.

Diet: Coachwhips are diurnal, they actively hunt and eat lizards, small birds and rodents. They tend to be more sensitive to potential threats than other species, and often flee at the first sign of some other species. They are extremely fast, curious and well-sighted snakes, sometimes you can see them raising their heads above the grass or rocks to see what is around them.

Location:Although they can be found in open ground, they like to hunt prey and hide among vegetation.