![]() As they grow older, the dorsum darkens and the juvenile pattern gradually disappears. Juveniles are more strikingly patterned, with a middorsal row of dark blotches on a light ground color. All subspecies have a lighter-colored underbelly: white, light tan, or yellow in color. ![]() "Runner" is sometimes used instead of "racer" in their common names. Most are solid-colored as their common names imply: black racers, brown racers, tan racers, blue racers, or green racers. The patterns vary widely among subspecies. A typical adult specimen will weigh around 556 g (1.226 lb), with little size difference between the sexes. constrictor is 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.Īdult eastern racers can typically vary from 50 to 152 cm (20 to 60 in) in total length (including tail) depending on the subspecies, but a record-sized specimen measured 185.4 cm (73.0 in) in total length. The species is monotypic in the genus Coluber.Ĭ. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers. The species is endemic to North America and Central America. The blue racer is an active forager and despite their scientific name, it isn't really a constrictor.The eastern racer, or North American racer ( Coluber constrictor), is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The juvenile blue racers eat crickets and other insects such as spiders or worms, adult snakes feed mainly on small rodents, frogs, birds and other smaller snakes such as the ringneck snake. Some of the large birds of prey like the red-tailed hawk, northern harrier, and great horned owl are amongst its predators but they are also preyed on by coyotes, foxes, raccoons, dogs and feral house cats or wild cats. They have smooth scales, large eyes, and a brownish orange snout. Unlike adult blue racers, hatchlings and juvenile snakes display dorsal blotches that will eventually fade away by their 3rd year. The underbelly color is a creamy white, the backside varies from a brilliant blue (hence their common name) to a dull gray and they have light brown to gray dorsum. Their length ranges between 35 to 60 inches (90 to 152 cm) and it's one of the largest snakes found in Ontario. ![]() We usually catch only a glimpse of them as they disappear quickly through the vegetation. When threatened, they vibrate their tails to make a buzzing sound that works as a warning and for that reason are often mistaken for rattlesnakes. Even though they are non-venomous, they are still very capable of inflicting a painful bite if cornered. When hunting they hold up their heads up and move very fast through brushes using their keen eyesight. The blue racer will try to escape into the bush and may even climb into low bushes or small trees if threatened. They are active during daytime and prefer to spend most of their time on the ground, but are known to forage both on ground and trees. The blue racers are known to hibernate in large groups during the cold winter months. This speed helps them catch prey or avoid being preyed upon. The species lifespan in the wild ranges from 15 to 20 years. ![]() As their common name suggests, the blue racer is a very fast snake that can move at speeds of almost 7 Km or 4,3 mph, even so far from the lightning speed of the highly venomous black mamba.
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