Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I monitor a 12 acre property that is backed up to 500 privately protected acres (so far). My client is learning the critters on his land and not allowing anyone to kill wildlife. This past cold wet Monday, I received a call that he had a snake trapped. Like it was going to take off in 50 degree weather. His discription was kind of strange, so my curiosity was high. Well this is only my second E. coachwhip in 35 years in Harris County. I will keep it cooled until spring and release back where it came from.
Happy Herping,
Clint

Hey Buddy! Nice Catch I will be in Houston i.e. Webster/Clear Lake this weekend for 5 days! Exactly what part of Harris County, did you observe this e. coachwip? Was the other one you saw also on your property? I usually night drive the refuge...but this trip i would like to observe a coral snake in the wild and I was told spring in Hermann park is a possibility.
How's the weather been? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanks Again and KEEEP ON HERPING!!! jamesD

Strange that it was active in those kind of temps. I imagine that the rainy weather forced it to move from its winter hideout. Is there any artificial cover in that area? If so, you should be able to find them with some consistency. I've found them along the Brazos River deciduous floodplain where you would never expect a coachwhip, but they are there. Gotta love A/C. Shane

Hey Shane,
This area is close where all kinds of buildings are going up, but the owner won't allow any destruction on his property. Plenty of hide spots for coachwhips. Scott W. and I have permission to herp any time we choose. I found some racer eggs there this spring, removed, hatched and relplaced them back where they were layed.
Happy herping,
Clint

I have never seen a Coachwhip in Harris county, although most of my time was spent on the west side where you wouldn't expect one. Beautiful snake as well. I love those red-tailed black ones.
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Chris Harrison

Hey ChrisH,
This is only my second one in Harris County. The last one was 30 years ago in very similar habitat. Sandy soil and heavily wooded area with a pond within 100 yards. This recent one was off of 249 near Cypress Creek with an identical to the area to where the first one was found. That natural black and copper look is awesome. This guy's property has tons of copperheads... over 60 last year on just 12 acres and many other species have been identified in this small paradise has a Houston address. It's hard to believe anything is left after all the destruction of "so called" improvement around the H-town that I grew up in.
Happy Herping,
Clint

Chris, why do you consider western Harris county an area where Masticophis aren't to be expected? In my mind, the open areas are much more suitable than thick woodlands. Shane

Shane,

I consider the open coastal prairie of west Houston (and south Houston) to be Coluber country. I would expect more Coachwhips at the edges of the piney woods north of town.

In the College Station area, I tended to see them in sandier soils generally near forested areas (or in the National Forests themselves).

I don't know why they wouldn't be in west Houston, other than the fact that it may be too wet?

Chris
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Chris Harrison

They can inhabit quite damp habitats. I've found them in thick deciduous woodland (deep within the woods) right along the Brazos River. I've also found them on the damp coastal prarie, but Coluber are certainly much more common on the prarie.
They can certainly tolerate some extremes. Shane