Species profile
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
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
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
Photo credit: iNaturalist / Wikipedia. Identification reference only — verify regulations with the issuing wildlife agency before retaining a catch.