Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Pic of one of a pair of hatchling Easterns from a gravid female collected in South Carolina. The male has voluntarily eaten a lizard, but the female is still getting mouse tails force fed. I've been through it all with many species. In time, they will come around.

I love these little snakes. Bright eyes, all attitude, and look at those crisp head markings. Heirs to a proud line of American serpents--the Eastern Coachwhip is a magnificent beast. I hear rumors that they are quietly declining while ecologically sensitive people's attention is elsewhere. Can't confirm it yet. Hope not--a disgrace to lose them on our watch.

The one thing that I could rely on baby coachwhips to eat was other baby snakes. Especially cornsnakes, even if they were dead. They are the most stubborn eaters I have ever dealt with but they have always been worth the trouble.

I would have to agree with your comment in reguard to eating other hatchling snakes, as neonates,they seem to be willing to eat each other if left together. In the wild a late hatch sibling or runt may very well be their very first meal? They are very tough to get started and I think you may be on to something. I just recently had this exact conversation with another person that has worked with Coachwhips. Keep us posted.

I have allways found them willing to take the appropriately sized anole. I'd say (to my experience) it has run 50-50 on whether there was a feeding problem. Some took anoles right off, others were not worth the hassle so I released them.

As to the decline....They are practicaly extinct in Dade and Broward counties (FLA) but I just talked to a man who lives just south of Ft. Pierce (near the coast)who still sees plenty.
-----
"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

saw one yesterday in panhandle of florida......fortunately coachwhips are too fast for the morons to catch/kill but they definitely need plenty of space to roam w/ too many wide roads.