Coluber constrictor flaviventris

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Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Coluber constrictor flaviventris (1).jpg
Eastern yellow-bellied 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
Species:
Subspecies:
C. c. flaviventris
Trinomial name
Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Say, 1823
Synonyms
  • Coluber flaviventrisSay, 1823
  • Bascanion flaviventris
    Baird & Girard, 1853
  • Coryphodon flaviventris
    Hallowell, 1856 [1]
  • Coluber constrictor var. flaviventris
    Garman, 1883 [2]
  • Coluber constrictor flaviventris
    Grant, 1937 [1]

Coluber constrictor flaviventris, commonly known as the eastern yellow-bellied racer, is a subspecies of the eastern racer, non-venomous colubrid snake. It is endemic to North America. [3]

Contents

Description

The eastern yellow-bellied racer is a thin-bodied snake, capable of attaining a total length of 1.5 metres (60 inches). As an adult, its color is an olive grey-green with a yellow underside. As a juvenile it is remarkably different, having a tan or cream-colored body with brown or grey blotches. The color gradually changes as the snake ages, becoming solid olive grey-green. Authors disagree as to when this transformation is complete, from 1½ to three years old, and from 18 to 30 inches (46–76 cm) in total length. [4]

Geographic Range

The eastern yellow-bellied racer is found in the United States, from the states of Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, east to Iowa, south to Texas and southeast to Louisiana. It is also found in isolated populations in Canada. [5]

Conservation status

Coluber constrictor flaviventris is listed as an endangered species in the province of Saskatchewan. [6]

Juvenile eastern yellow-bellied racer, C. c. flaviventris Coluber constrictor flaviventris.jpg
Juvenile eastern yellow-bellied racer, C. c. flaviventris

Behavior

Racers are diurnal, active predators. They are fast moving and are often quick to bite if handled. They generally eat rodents, lizards and frogs, but as juveniles they will also consume various kinds of soft-bodied insects. They are fairly nervous snakes, and as such, do not typically fare well in captivity. [7]

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References

  1. 1 2 Coluber constrictor, The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org
  2. Stejneger, L., and T. Barbour (1917). A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 125 pp. (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, p. 79.)
  3. Integrated Taxonomic Information Sysyem (ITIS). www.itis.gov.
  4. Wright, A.H., & A.A. Wright (1957). Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, pp. 138-142, Figure 44., Map 16.)
  5. Conant, R. (1975). A Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern and Central North America, Second Edition. Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 429 pp. ISBN   0-395-19977-8 (paperback). (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, pp. 179–180 + Plate 26 + Map 139.)
  6. "Species profile - Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer". Species at risk public registry. Government of Canada. September 19, 2018. Archived from the original on 23 August 2017. Retrieved 28 January 2019.
  7. "Coluber constrictor flaviventris: Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer".

Further reading