Need a bit of help with snake ID

[Humble308]

Family member of mine snagged a snake with a 12 gauge and I'd like a little help with identification if possible.

Looks like an eastern coachwhip to me but wanted to get a firm confirmation so I can let her know to keep them around.

[Albert Clark]

Can't really make this one out. Where are you located, what state?

[MDT]

It's a coachwhip.

[FWK]

You got it, it is an Eastern Coachwhip (Coluber flagellum flagellum), harmless. These guys will eat just about anything they can overpower, including venomous snakes. Where was this one found? I'll take a guess it was found in the south east Oklahoma area?

[Humble308]

Thanks guys. It was found around Beaumont, TX. I recall reading in small book about coachwhips and racers that they've been known to rear up and chase people around hahaha.

I let her know it's harmless. Anybody every kept these? I've read they can be a little flighty and aggresive but get pretty long as well.

[FWK]

Beaumont is quite a bit farther south than I would have thought, this banded pattern is more common in the north Texas/Oklahoma area. Snakes do not chase people, but Coluber sp. (Coachwhips/Racers) do often periscope to look for prey and predators. They have excellent eyesight. All it takes is for someone who is afraid of snakes to see a Coachwhip periscoping, fear does the rest. The person panics, turns, and runs for their life. They will thereafter swear to you that snake reared up and chased them for a hundred yards, the myth is born. Eastern Coachwhips do get petty big, six feet is not uncommon. The record is eight and a half. They are very active animals that need a relatively large enclosure. They are also very alert and inquisitive, pretty cool to watch. I don't have one (yet), but I know people who do. I do have an Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris). It is flighty and defensive in it's enclosure, but in hand it is very calm.

[Bandit]

Coachwhip for sure.

[Humble308]

Thanks for the info FWK. I just moved back to Ft Worth after a stint in Ohio for a job. I'm remembering now how many cool reptiles are in the south