Southern black racer12/28/2023 Juveniles can have red or brown blotches but this generally fades as the snake ages, leaving a uniform base color to the snake.Ī characteristic feature of this snake is the color of their jawline. The back and sides of the snake are black to dark grey in colour while the belly of the snake is usually light grey or white. They have smooth scales that cover their slim bodies. The Southern Black Racer is a small to medium sized snake that grows to lengths of 2-5ft. This genus consists of 11 species of racer that are all native to North and Central America. The genus that this snake belongs to is called Coluber. Colubrid snakes are common throughout South-Eastern United States. This is the same family as species such as Corn Snakes, Kingsnakes and Milk snakes. Keep a safe distance and allow them room to escape - they’ll likely be gone in the blink of an eye.The Southern Black Racer belongs to the Colubridae (Colubrid) Family of snakes. If you run across a black racer, it’s always best to let them get back to their day. Ideally, you leave them in wild places or agricultural properties where they keep populations of amphibians and rodents under control. In short: you definitely don’t want to mess with these snakes. They are not constrictor snakes, so they rely on their strong jaws - and you don’t want to be on the receiving end of those! Also, they tend to produce a foul musk to ward off predators. A black racer bite is not venomous but can definitely be painful. So while they will try to escape, they’re also not afraid to defend themselves. It most likely wants to get away from you and keep hunting! What Should You Do If You Encounter a Black Racer?īlack racers are very territorial and defensive. Always give a black racer space if you see it. While black racers are non- venomous, their bites still hurt and, as with any animal bite, can become infected. Then, they will strike and ferociously defend their territory. Like most snakes, they enjoy sunny days and tendīecause they are speedy, black racers would rather flee than fight - until they’re cornered. Racers are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day. At night, they sleep in burrows or even in the trees. They tend to be found on farmland as well. Their eyesight is sufficient to see small critters moving, and they can quickly overpower lizards, moles, frogs, mice, and even small birds! Where Do You Find Black Racers?īlack racers go anywhere the food is, including wetlands, waterways, forests, and fields. Unlike some snakes that lie in wait, black racers will actively hunt for their prey. In fact, many Florida farmers appreciate black racers for their pest control.īlack racers are muscular, fast snakes that ambush their prey, so don’t be surprised if you see one foraging during the day. This means you actually may want them around if you’ve got a rat problem on your property or are sick of those Cuban tree frogs everywhere. What Does a Black Racer Eat?ĭue to their size, black racers can and do eat all sorts of critters - even other snakes! They also eat lizards, frogs, and of course rodents. Like rattlesnakes, black racers can vibrate their tails to warn predators to stay away. In either case, you can usually identify a black racer by its rapid movement or aggressive stance when it feels threatened. Juvenile black racers have a blotchy red-brown pattern. They look a bit like the Eastern indigo snake, but black racers have a white or grey chin and throat, while indigos have an orange-red color instead. Black racers’ top speed is about 4 miles per hour, which may not sound like much, but that’s fast for a snake! They can get up to six feet long, and they’re quite strong and fast. What Does a Black Racer Look Like?Īs their name suggests, black racers are large, dark-colored snakes. Let’s learn more about this interesting snake and how to identify it. Snakes play a major role in the ecosystem, so it’s important to let them be! For example, one of Florida’s most common species, the Southern black racer, may look scary, but they’re great for pest control. And honestly, all of them simply want to be left alone. Most of them can’t do worse than bite you. However, only 6 of those 50 species are venomous. After all, snakes are dangerous, right? And in Florida, you’ve got more than 50 species roaming our swamps and forests. The fear of snakes is called ophidiophobia, and it’s fairly common. The Black Racer: All About Florida’s Fastest Snake
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