They eat a variety of animals, including small rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, and other snakes.Īctivity/Behavior: They are active only during the daytime and have very good vision. As juveniles, racers are gray or brown with dark reddish-brown spots running along their backs.įeeding/Diet: Racers do not constrict, but chase their prey down and swallow it alive. They have rather large eyes, smooth scales, and in North Carolina are solid black as adults, although some have a whitish chin. The range of flaviventris is now known to be west of the Mississippi.Description: Racers are large, relatively slender snakes known for their speed. priapus intergrades in extreme southern Illinois. flaviventris Say, 1823, Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer found in most of the state, and C. Smith (1961) listed two subspecies in Illinois, C. Nomenclatural History: It was transferred to the genus Basconion by Baird & Girard (1853), which is how Kennicott (1855) and Davis & Rice (1883) listed it. For priapus, Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn & Wood, 1939. Original Name: Coluber constrictor Linnaeus, 1758. For foxii, Basconion foxii Baird & Girard, 1853. Type Specimen: Not designated. For foxii, Holotype. Notes on eastern snakes of the genus Coluber. Smithsonian Inst., Washington, xvi + 172 pp. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Systema Naturae per Regina tri Naturae secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Status: Locally common in some parts of the state.Įtymology: Coluber – (Latin) meaning snake constrictor – constrictus (Latin) meaning ‘drawn together’ f oxii – (New Latin) patronym for Charles Fox (1815-1854) priapus – Priapus (Latin) Roman god of male creative power. Main predators are other snakes and raptors. Eats a variety of animals, including arthropods, worms, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. The young, 20-35 cm TL, hatch in September. Mates in May and June and female lays 10-20 eggs in late June or July. If cornered, vibrates the tail tip and can be counted on to strike repeatedly. Natural History: Alert and agile, often raises its head above the ground to look around, and reacts to disturbance by moving away quickly. Habitat: A variety of habitats including forests, open areas, and edges of forests near open fields. Hatchling and juvenile up to about 80 cm TL, blue-gray with 55-85 reddish brown blotches on back that become less distinct toward tail, and small dark spots along sides and belly. Throat distinctly lighter (yellow in northwest, white elsewhere).
Phillipsĭescription: Adult long (up to 150 cm TL) and slender with shiny, uniformly blue, blue-green, or black back. Phillips Juvenile North American racer, Perry County, Illinois. North American racer, Will Co., IL photo by C.A. priapus Dunn & Wood, 1939 are thought to inhabit Illinois. foxii (Baird & Girard, 1853) Southern Black Racer, C. Subspecies: Eleven subspecies are currently recognized, but only two, Blue Racer, C. Similar Species: Adults resemble the Gray Ratsnake, Coachwhip, and Plain-bellied Watersnake juveniles resemble young of Gray Ratsnake, Coachwhip, Foxsnake, Yellow-bellied Kingsnake, Milksnake, and water snakes. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification. Key Characters: Plain black or bluish black smooth scales divided anal plate juveniles heavily marked with small blotches. Coluber constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) North American racer, Clinton Co., IL photo by C.A.
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