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North American Racer

North American Racer

Coluber constrictor

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland, Urban
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 10 years

North American Racers are nonvenomous snakes with very smooth shiny scales. Their color variations range from black, bluish, gray, to olive brown. The head is narrow but still wider than the neck with very distinct brow ridges. The chin and throat areas vary from white to yellowish. Juvenile racers are strongly patterned with grays, browns, and reds which fades as they age.

Diet

Diet consists primarily of small rodents, other mammals, frogs, toads, small turtles, lizards, and other snakes.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Reptilia
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Order: Squamata
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Family: Colubridae
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Genus: Coluber
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Species: Coluber constrictor

Scientific Name

Coluber constrictor
Breeding Season
April-June
Lifespan
10 years

Behavior

The North American racers are fast-moving, highly active, diurnal snakes. They are curious snakes with excellent vision. They are visual hunters and are often seen raising their heads above the ground to get a better view of their surroundings, a behavior dubbed "periscoping" by snake enthusiasts. Aptly named, racers are very fast and typically flee from a potential predator. However, once cornered, they put up a vigorous fight, biting hard and often.

Ecological Role

Racers are beneficial to humans in that they control rodent and insect pest populations

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland
Urban

Geographic Distribution

Found throughout much of the United States, on both sides of the Rocky Mountains, but it also ranges north into Canada and south into Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

Threats & Impacts

Pesticide residue poses a danger to insectivorous young racers. The dangers faced by adults include their habitat reduction because of agriculture and suburban/urban development along with direct killing of snakes by people

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife
No field notes or observations available for this species.

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