COLUBER CONSTRICTOR SNAKES VERMONT PATCH

Species summary written by Kaile Burgess. Coluber constrictor at the Snakes of Massachusetts website.Juvenile racers are strongly patterned with grays, browns, and reds. Coluber constrictor in the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Action Plan (PDF) The average adult length ranges from 90-190 cm.Coluber constrictor at the CARCNET website.Coluber constrictor at the Animal Diversity website.The North American Racer has been known by the common name 'Eastern Racer'. Even historic sighting information is useful. Please report all sightings of this species in Vermont. Timber Rattlesnakes come in a variety of colors. They’re found throughout the southern areas of Vermont, mainly in forests, thickets, and agricultural areas. Sometimes called the Canebrake Rattlesnake, they can be anywhere from 30 inches long to 60. The North American Racer is threatened in Vermont and has been designated a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (high priority) in Vermont’s Wildlife Action Plan. Of all the snakes in Vermont, the Timber Rattlesnake is the only venomous one. This species has a state natural heritage rank of S1 (rare).

They inhabit open pastures, power lines, and meadows, near rocky ridges.

The Ratsnake has a patterned, not solid, underside. When they are young, Racers look similar to Milksnakes, but they do not have the white 'Y' on the back of the head that the Milksnakes have. The Racer is very fast and quite nervous. As adults they are 4-6 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 70 inches). They have a tan nose, white under their chin, and a strong eyebrow ridge. Sometimes they show an iridescent blue on either side of the belly. Instead, prey are chewed and swallowed alive.The Racer is a slender snake that has a black body with a satin sheen and smooth scales. Coluber constrictor, commonly called the eastern racer is a nonvenomous snake species. Even though its scientific name suggests so, these snakes do not constrict their prey. The timber rattlesnake is the only venomous. When cornered, they will vibrate their tails and strike. Indeed, these snakes are quite difficult to chase down and capture. Notes/Miscellaneousīlack Racers usually respond to danger by rapidly fleeing (hence the name “Racer”). Black Racers are preyed upon by hawks, Kingsnakes and some mammals. Racer eggs can be differentiated from those of other snakes because they are covered by small, salt-like granules (but see Eastern Coachwhip). When very small, they have a white ring around their neck that. They are usually about 1 foot long (the longest documented in Vermont is 17 inches) with keeled scales. Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) is the general name for one of the most. These snakes mate in spring and lay around 20 eggs, which hatch in late summer-early fall. They have a black spot on the top of the head, black sideburns, a black spot under the eye, and black parentheses on each side of the neck. Only one venomous snake, the Timber Rattlesnake lives in Vermont. Black Racers often ascend shrubs and trees to either pursue prey or avoid danger. They consume rodents, lizards, birds, frogs, insects, and other snake species. Juvenile Black Racers have a gray to blue-gray dorsum mottled with dark grey, brown, or rust colored. They have a shiny appearance due to their unkeeled scales.

COLUBER CONSTRICTOR SNAKES VERMONT PATCH

Their belly is also solid gray-black with a white patch on chin and throat. Natural Historyīlack Racers are diurnal (active during the day) and actively search for prey. Adult Black Racers have a solid black to blue-gray dorsal surface. These snakes are most abundant in pastures, brushy areas, around wetlands and other aquatic habitats, and along forest edges. Habitat/Rangeīlack Racers are found throughout Kentucky and are common in many habitat types. SizeĪ typical sized adult is 3 feet in total length. Juvenile Black Racers have a gray to blue-gray dorsum mottled with dark grey, brown, or rust colored blotches down the center of the back. Adult Black Racers have a solid black to blue-gray dorsal surface.

Coluber constrictor snakes vermont