Species profile
North American Racer
Coluber constrictor
Identify North American Racer (Coluber constrictor) from a photo — free, unlimited, no sign-up — with the CatchRules iPhone app.
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.
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.
Are there fishing rules for North American Racer?
North American Racer does not currently have published fishing rules in CatchRules' curated jurisdictions. Identification, range, and habitat are still tracked above.
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.