Species profile
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Identify North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) from a photo: try it free in your browser, or get unlimited IDs, no sign-up, with the CatchRules iPhone app. Plus current fishing rules across 1 jurisdiction.
At a glance
North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
Confirmed by 49,783 research-grade iNaturalist observations, with Florida, North Carolina, and Texas the top jurisdictions by observation count.
Notable details
- Despite its scientific name Coluber constrictor, the racer rarely if ever uses constriction to subdue prey.
- It is one of North America's fastest snakes, capable of short bursts of around 3.5 miles per hour.
- Adults can reach up to 6 feet in length, though most measure closer to 3 to 4 feet.
- When cornered, it vibrates its tail rapidly in leaf litter, closely mimicking the sound of a rattlesnake.
- Racers are highly visual, active daytime hunters that pursue frogs, lizards, and small mammals at speed.
Where North American Racer are seen
Jurisdictions with rules for North American Racer
Background
Coluber constrictor is a species of nonvenomous, colubrid snake, 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.
Background excerpt adapted from Wikipedia's North American Racer article (CC BY-SA). Visit Wikipedia for the full entry.
Other reptiles on CatchRules
Frequently asked questions
What is North American Racer?
North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) is an IUCN Least Concern reptile with specific harvest rules tracked in 1 of 66 jurisdictions covered by CatchRules.
What is the scientific name for North American Racer?
North American Racer is Coluber constrictor.
Is North American Racer regulated for fishing?
Yes — North American Racer has fishing regulations in 1 U.S. state and/or Canadian province tracked by CatchRules. See the "Jurisdictions with rules" section above for the binding-source links.
How can I identify North American Racer?
Take a photo with the free CatchRules iPhone app — on-device identification recognizes North American Racer along with ~1,500 other species. No sign-up, unlimited use.
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.