Black Racer
Coluber constrictor • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Coluber, Species: C. constrictor
Venomous Status
Non-venomous
Danger Level
Harmless - Low Risk. They are non-venomous and generally flee from humans, though they may bite defensively if cornered or handled.
Geographic Range
Widely distributed across North and Central America, from southern Canada throughout the continental United States (east of the Rockies) and into eastern Mexico and Guatemala.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern. Common throughout its range, though populations face localized threats from habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Solid matte black dorsal coloration with a smooth, satiny texture (scales are not keeled). Notable white chin and throat. Large eyes with round pupils. Slender, sleek body and a distinct head shape.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be a subadult approx. 2-3 feet long. Adults typically range from 3 to 5 feet (90-150 cm), with a maximum recorded length of about 6 feet.
Habitat
Generalist species found in forests, open woodlands, fields, marshes, and suburban areas. Prefers open areas near cover for basking and retreat. Elevation from sea level to over 2,000 meters.
Behavior & Temperament
Highly active, diurnal, and fast-moving. Known for being nervous and defensive; will vibrate the tail in dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake and strike repeatedly if threatened.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivore eating rodents, frogs, lizards, smaller snakes, and insects. Despite the name 'constrictor', they typically active-forage and swallow prey alive or pin it down rather than using true constriction.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay between 3 to 30 eggs in early summer, often in rotting logs or underground burrows. Hatchlings have a patterned appearance unlike the solid black adults.
Venom Profile
Venom Type
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), which has keeled scales and a bread-loaf body shape, and the Indigo Snake (Drymarchon couperi), which is heavier-bodied and iridescent.
Conservation Status
IUCN Least Concern. Common throughout its range, though populations face localized threats from habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically beneficial as they control rodent and pest populations. Often feared due to their speed and defensive nature, but they are a vital component of the North American ecosystem.
Notable Features
Remarkable speed and agility. One of the few snakes that will 'periscope' its head above tall grass to look for prey or threats. Dramatic ontogenetic color change from speckled juveniles to solid black adults.