Talk:Masticophis flagellum
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[edit] Myths
I encountered a red coachwhip on the Imperial Highway (San Diego County road S2) south of Agua Calliente Springs on 7/4/2006. The snake was in the road holding its head up when I saw it ahead of me. I had to move to the oncoming lane to avoid the snake. I made a U-turn to take another look. I assumed that the snake had been hit by a car but there was no sign of injury (its head was on the ground when I returned). When I approached the snake it turned toward me in what looked like an aggressive move. I kept my feet about a yard away and began to circle the snake and it kept turning toward me. When I lifted my camera to take a picture the snake made a 90-degree turn toward the side of the road, darted into a bush and disappeared down a small hole. The snake was very fast (although I doubt it could outrun a person) and when it slithered across the asphalt it made a buzzing noise that increased in pitch as it accelerated, somewhat like dragging a pin across a cloth (I assume the sound was made by the scales on the aggregate in the road surface). Now that I've read that coachwhips have a reputation for chasing people, I don't doubt it. Rsduhamel 17:02, 8 July 2006 (UTC)
