Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live in central Fl and was wondering if anyone knew any good spots to photograph coachwhips. I've only seen them in captivity. I know they are around but I can't seem to find them. Black racers on the other hand....

I have lived in Tampa all my life and herped central FL as often as I could yet have only seen just a very few myself. I found a 6'er and a yearling within a week of each other earlier this year. It helped make my year for sure! Anyway, just keep pluggin' away and hopefully soon you'll find one.
If you need to photo one and contact me, I'll try and help.
:Mark

What types of habitats have you found them in? I'm not really sure why I want to see one so badly, I don't really care for racers. It must trace back to my experience with them at Glades Herp, open the cage and they are ready with a mouth open....

I used to catch them in sandy clearings in slash pine forrests. They are basically gone from my area (Broward County) but I see people still find them in the Ft.Pierce area.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

I have been told they are common in the Ocala area but I have been out there a few times without finding a single snake. Would you think could be found in similar areas as eastern diamondbacks? The desertish areas with lots of palmettos and gopher tortoises seem like they would be the place to look.

In most of FL. you don't have to go far to "change habitats". Within a few yards of rather wet habitat you can often find very dry "desert" conditions you descrbe. If you are seeing EDBs then you are certainly in coachwhip territory. I have found them all over, but sandy palmetto scrub at the edges of pine/oak stands have been best for me.
:Mark

Well I haven't been successful in finding any edb's and trust me, many a penny on gas has been spent on weekend trips in the search for them. I know this isn't the right forum, but any suggestions on where to find edb's as well as coachwhips?

Follow the above advice and you stand a better chance of seeing an EDB before you see a Coachwhip.

Frank
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"The luxury of not getting involved departed with the last lifeboat Skipper..."

Well that is good to hear. I know everyone here is big on the coachwhips but I have to admit edb's are higher on the list than coachwhips, I only like them because they are agressive and unusual.