will mate with multiple males over the breeding period. Males have been observed displaying territorial behavior in an attempt to prevent any further copulation from other males. The gestation period is around 77.5 days after which the female lays the eggs in a small animals burrow, no parental care is shown. Myth A common myth is that the Eastern coachwhip will intentionally attack people and whip them with its tail. This is false. In truth, when disturbed this snake will usually quickly flee. It will sometimes vibrate the tip of its tail among the ground litter, making a sound suggestive of a rattlesnake. If trapped, it will aggressively defend itself, striking repeatedly and biting. References Colubrids Fauna of the Southeastern United States Reptiles of the United States Taxa named by George Shaw