Eastern racer

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Eastern racer
Coluber constrictor anthicus.jpg
Coluber constrictor anthicus ,
buttermilk racer
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Coluber
Linnaeus, 1758
Species:
C. constrictor
Binomial name
Coluber constrictor
Coluber constrictor distribution.png
Synonyms [2] [3]

The eastern racer, or North American racer (Coluber constrictor), is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to North America and Central America. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers. The species is monotypic in the genus Coluber.

Contents

Geographic range

C. 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.

Description

Adult 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. [4] [5] [6] A typical adult specimen will weigh around 556 g (1.226 lb), with little size difference between the sexes. [7] The patterns vary widely among subspecies. Most are solid-colored as their common names imply: black racers, brown racers, tan racers, blue racers, or green racers. "Runner" is sometimes used instead of "racer" in their common names. All subspecies have a lighter-colored underbelly: white, light tan, or yellow in color. Juveniles are more strikingly patterned, with a middorsal row of dark blotches on a light ground color. The tail is unpatterned. As they grow older, the dorsum darkens and the juvenile pattern gradually disappears. [4]

Behavior

Closeup of head of C. c. mormon, western yellow-bellied racer Coluber constrictor mormon -- closeup of face, side.jpg
Closeup of head of C. c. mormon, western yellow-bellied racer

The eastern racers are fast-moving, highly active, diurnal snakes. Their diet consists primarily of small rodents, other mammals (as large as small cottontail rabbits), frogs, toads, small turtles, lizards, and other snakes. [8] [9] Some subspecies are known to climb trees to eat eggs and young birds. Juveniles often consume soft-bodied insects and other small invertebrates, [10] as well as small frogs, small reptiles (including lizards and snakes and their eggs), young rodents, and shrews. [9] Despite their specific name, constrictor, they do not really employ constriction, instead simply subduing struggling prey by pinning it bodily, pressing one or two coils against it to hold it in place instead of actually suffocating it. Most smaller prey items are simply swallowed alive.

They are curious snakes with excellent vision and are sometimes seen raising their heads above the height of the grass where they are crawling to view what is around them. 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. They are difficult to handle and will writhe, defecate, and release a foul-smelling musk from their cloacae. Vibrating their tails among dry leaves, racers can sound convincingly like rattlesnakes. [11]

Habitat

C. constrictor is found frequently near water, but also in brush, trash piles, roadsides, and swamps, and in suburbia; it is the most common snake in residential neighborhoods in Florida. It spends most of its time on the ground, but it is a good tree climber and may be found in shrubs and trees where bird nests can be raided for eggs and chicks, as well as small adult birds such as finches, canaries, and thrashers.

Most of the eastern racers prefer open, grassland-type habitats where their keen eyesight and speed can be readily used, but they are also found in light forest and even semiarid regions. They are usually not far from an area of cover for hiding.

Reproduction

In C. constrictor, mating takes place in the spring from April until early June. Around a month later, the female lays three to 30 eggs in a hidden nest site, such as a hollow log, an abandoned rodent burrow, or under a rock. The juveniles hatch in the early fall. A newborn is 8–10 in (20–26 cm) in total length. Maturity is reached around 2 years old. Eastern racers have been known to lay their eggs in communal sites, where a number of snakes, even those from other species, all lay their eggs together.

Symbol

The northern black racer is the state reptile of Ohio. [12]

Subspecies

Closeup of the head of Coluber constrictor constrictor, northern black racer Coluber constrictorPCCP20030612-1115B.jpg
Closeup of the head of Coluber constrictor constrictor, northern black racer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Common watersnake</span> Species of snake

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eastern milk snake</span> Subspecies of snake

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Western yellow-bellied racer</span> Subspecies of snake

The western yellow-bellied racer, also known as the western yellowbelly racer or western racer, is a snake subspecies endemic to the Western United States, including California, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, Montana and Colorado. It is a subspecies of the eastern racer. It is nonvenomous and is recognized by its long and very slender shape. It is visually similar to the eastern yellow-bellied racer, which is also green, blue or brown with a recognizable yellow underside. Also named for its color, the western yellow-bellied racer is also gray with red or brown blotches when young.

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References

  1. Hammerson, G.A.; Acevedo, M.; Ariano-Sánchez, D.; Johnson, J. (2013). "Coluber constrictor". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2013: e.T63748A3128579. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2013-2.RLTS.T63748A3128579.en . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. Stejneger L, Barbour T (1917). A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. 125 pp. (Coluber constrictor, p. 79)
  3. "Coluber constrictor ". The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org.
  4. 1 2 Conant, Roger (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. xviii + 429 pp. + Plates 1-48. ISBN   0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Coluber consrictor constrictor, pp. 178-179 + Plate 26 + Map 139).
  5. "Species profile: Minnesota DNR". Dnr.state.mn.us. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  6. "Southern Black Racer, Racer (Florida Museum)". Flmnh.ufl.edu. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  7. Carfagno, Gerardo L. F. (2007). Habitat Use and Thermal Ecology of Ratsnakes (Elaphe Obsoleta) and Racers ... - Gerardo L. F. Carfagno - Google Books. ISBN   9780549341376 . Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  8. "Corkscrew's common snakes: Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)". Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  9. 1 2 "Coluber constrictor (Eastern Racer)".
  10. "Eastern Racer Animal Facts". AZ Animals. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  11. School of Computer Science. "UMass Amherst: The College of Natural Sciences". Umass.edu. Retrieved 31 May 2013.
  12. "5.031 State reptile". LAWriter: Ohio Laws and Rles. Lawriter LLC. 2008. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
  13. Eastern and Western Yellow-bellied Racers, COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report

Further reading