Congradulations, you just killed either a juvenile coachwhip or a juvenile racer. Both are not venomous and are rabid eaters of rodents and grasshoppers. As adults they don't have that kind of pattern and are easy to tell apart.



It's obvious that the snake wasn't venomous. First look and see if its a rattlesnake, if its not then look and see if its a copperhead, if its not then look and see if its a cottonmouth, if its not then its not dangerous. Also, most snakes in North America will rattle their tails when threatened. Its a defense mechanism to bring attention to the tail (tails can be spared).

Coachwhips/Racers do not like to be killed and are very "spirited". In their minds (and usually in reality) any contact with a larger animal leads to dying. That's why you got such a reaction. Even if you meant it no harm its still going to try and bluff you. They really hate dying.



They are the fastest snakes in the US and probably the most intelligent.Also my favorite! I'm attaching a pic of a beautiful coachwhip.

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