Some specimens in our area are totally black. The eastern coachwhip lives on rocky wooded, southfacing hillsides, open woods and prairies. Because it is fastmoving and thrashes about when captured, some people believe coachwhips can whip a person to death. This is a myth. The coachwhip will bite to defend itself and may vibrate its tail when alarmed.
Coachwhips eat mice, insects, lizards, small snakes and, occasionally, small birds.
Southern half of the state except for the southeastern corner. The bullsnake is Missouri's largest snake. It is tan or creamcolored with numerous, large, brown or black blotches. The tail may have light and dark bands. Often, a dark line angles from the eye down to the jaw.