The Coachwhip snake is found all over southern Arizona in one color phase or another. I do remember finding a black phase Coachwhip years ago at our home northwest of Tucson. Out in the grassland near our home in Cochise County I only find the red phase. Regardless of the color phase, these snakes are super fast and can also be super aggressive. These non-venomous snakes are amazing hunters and eat a variety small mammals, reptiles and birds. We’re so lucky to have these rascals out in the desert. Take a picture of this wonderful snake if you can find one holding still for any length of time, but don’t try to pick it up. Believe me.
It’s true that life in southeastern Arizona is full of “behold!” moments. It is so exciting to live in such a diverse land, both...
I’ve told the story of the yucca moths and the soaptree yuccas many times. I love to tell it when I give talks and...
I mention that the US Soil Conservation Service introduced and used Pentzia incana for erosion control back in the 1930s. And, I remembered that...
