Coachwhips search actively for prey, with their heads elevated. Little is known about nest sites.
Open habitats are preferred.
Coachwhips are mainly terrestrial, but occasionally climb trees and bushes to bask, seek prey and cover. These aggressive snakes will bite if captured. Hawks are probable predators, and roadrunners may feed on young coachwhips. A new subspecies of racer, Masticophis flagellum, from the San Joaquin Valley of California. Carpenter, C. C. 1958.