Reptiles of Arizona - Racer (Coluber constrictor)

Specimen from Utah

Colorado

RACER Coluber constrictor	Non-Venomous

DESCRIPTION: A medium to long (up to 1,900 mm or 75" in total length), plain blue-green, brown, or olive colored snake with a creamy yellow or white underside. The eyes are large and the body is slim. The pupils are round. Young have brown to orange-brown dorsal blotches on the neck and anterior portion of the body. The blotches fade as the animal ages and is eventually replaced by the plain adult pattern. The scales are smooth. DISTRIBUTION: Only one Racer has been documented in Arizona. It was collected in "Eagar", Apache County, in 1927. The elevation of Eagar is ca. 7,000'. In neighboring New Mexico this snake is found at elevations ranging from 3,800' to 6,500'. It may still occur in the vicinity of Eagar or along the Arizona-New Mexico border to the north. HABITAT: The community in which the Arizona specimen was found is Plains Grassland. This is generally a snake of open, grassy areas and transition zones between grasslands and woodlands. Where populations are stable it is often encountered near rock piles, fallen logs, and old wood piles which provide refugia for the snake and basking sites for lizard prey. It is also encountered near stream banks and other sources of water. BEHAVIOR: This is an active, alert, and swift snake that uses its speed to capture prey and avoid predation. It is active during the day. It often hunts with its head elevated off the ground. It is primarily a ground-dweller but occasionally climbs into bushes and trees. It spends the cold months of winter and late fall in an underground hibernaculum. This snake does not hesitate to bite when captured. DIET: The Racer feeds on mice and other small mammals, lizards, snakes, birds, eggs, frogs, and insects. REPRODUCTION: Mating takes place in May and early June. A clutch of up to 31 eggs is laid in early summer. By Thomas C. Brennan Bartlett. 2000. Snakes of North America: Western Region. Gulf Publishing Co. Houston, TX Brennan, T. C., and A. T. Holycross. 2006. A Field Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles in Arizona. Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., and Price, A. H.. 1996. Amphibians and Reptiles of New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. Albuquerque. Fowlie. 1965. The Snakes of Arizona. Azul Quinta Press, Fallbrook, California Lowe, Schwalbe, Johnson. 1986. The Venomous Reptiles of Arizona. Nongame Branch Arizona Game and Fish Department. Phoenix, AZ Stebbins. 1985. Western Reptiles and Amphibians. Houghton Mifflin. New York, NY

Home

We request that if you make use of the textual contents of this site in reports, publications, etc. that you cite and credit the author(s) and photographer(s). All photos on this website are copyrighted. However, those found in the species account and habitat sections may be used for any noncommercial scientific, educational, or conservation purposes provided that photographs are not altered and continue to bear the copyright symbol and name of the photographer. Please contact the photographer regarding commercial use of copyrighted photographs. Species accounts written by Thomas C. Brennan unless otherwise indicated.