Description
The Racer is highly variable in colour across North
America, but individual subspecies are rather consistent in colour.
There are three subspecies found in Canada. The Western
Yellowbelly Racer is green, yellowy brown or reddish brown with a
yellow underside. The Eastern Yellowbelly Racer is pale blue,
bluish green, gray or brown with a creamy or bright yellow belly.
The Blue Racer is pale blue or bluish green with a white or bluish
belly. The Racer can grow to almost 2 m in length.
Confusing Species
The Racer occurs in three widely dispersed provinces so
it can be confused with different snakes in different areas. In BC
the Rubber Boa can be greenish in colour,
but its belly is not yellow and it is rubbery in appearance. In
Saskatchewan the Smooth Green
Snake is most similar to the Racer, but it is usually bright
green. In Ontario, the Blue Racer cannot be easily confused with
any other snake because of its bluish colour.
Distribution
The Racer is a wide-ranging southern snake whose
distribution just gets into Canada in three areas. It is found in
southern British Columbia, southern Saskatchewan and Pelee Island
in Ontario. To the south it is found across most of the eastern US
and parts of the west. The Racer also occurs farther south into
Mexico and Gautemala.
Habitat
Typically a grassland species, the Racer is found in a
variety of habitats from abandoned fields to open woodlands.
Reproduction
Breeding occurs in the spring. Females lay from 5-28
leathery eggs under rocks, in rotting logs or underground in animal
burrows. Sometimes females will nest communally. The eggs hatch
in late summer and the young are 20-30 cm in length. It takes 2-3
years for the snakes to mature.
Natural history
As its name suggests, the Racer is a very fast snake.
It can move at almost 7 km/hr. The Racer eats insects, frogs,
other snakes, small rodents and birds. Despite its scientific
name, it is not a constrictor. If grabbed, the Racer will bite
repeatedly. In some areas, Racers will hibernate in groups as
large as 100, but in others they overwinter in smaller groups of
10-15. An individual can live for more than 20 years.
Conservation Concerns
The Blue Racer in Ontario has been eliminated from the
mainlaind and is now only found on Pelee Island. It is considered
Endangered, while the Eastern Yellowbelly Racer is Vulernable
according to COSEWIC.
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