Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I had been wanting to see wild eastern coachwhips for the longest time, but I do not live in their range (they are absent from southeastern Louisiana, excluding the Florida parishes). This weekend I went herping with the herp society based out of New Orleans to the Kisatchie National Forest in central Louisiana.
Finally got to see my first wild eastern coachwhip. They are definitely one of my favorite native snakes along with indigos and bulls/pines.


We also saw a lot of buttermilk racers. Two of them were definitely gravid. This was probably the nicest one of the trip. I know the folks here will appreciate the beauty of this snake, although the picture does not do it justice. It was one of those snakes you just have to see in person.

And since this is basically a giant arboreal racer, here is an older picture of my baby Spilotes.

John

Way to go John!
I trade off week to week liking buttermilks or eastern Coaches more. You made it difficult with great pics of both,doh!
Nate

Thanks Nate, they are both awesome snakes. How long is your Spilotes now and what is she eating? Also looking forward to hearing more about the Pseustes!

John

She's a good 4.5 to 5 feet and is taking 3 hopper/small mice every 4-6 days growing like a weed lol.
The Pseustes are not eating yet but I'm picking up some chicks tonight to give that a go.
Nate

Kisatchie Forest is packed with buttermilks. I have saw about a dozen while hiking on the Wild Azalea Trail near Alexandria. I think I have a photo of a pair mating.
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beautiful coachwhip would be cool to have a pair of buttermilks they look like veary cool snakes and beautiful how do you get pics in a message like this?