Racer Coluber constrictor

Non-venomous

Description: 24 - 50 inches. Racers are light colored when young, with dark reddish-brown blotches. The belly is white with small black, brown, or reddish spots. As they grow older, they will lose the blotches on the back, and spots on the belly. Adult racers are uniform in color, and can be various shades of gray, brown, and blue-green in North Dakota.

Similar Species: Smooth greensnakes may appear similar in pictures, but young racers within the size range of smooth greensnakes will have a blotched appearance rather than being a solid color. Smooth greensnakes turn blue after death and are often mistaken for 'blue' racers.

Comments: Most observations come from south and west of the Missouri River.

Distribution Map
Distribution of the Racer (Coluber constrictor)

County level distribution of this species in North Dakota. Map generated from data collected from voucher specimens and photographic records.

Phenology of Racer (Coluber constrictor)
Photographs