North American Racer (Black Racer)
Coluber constrictor • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Coluber, Species: Coluber constrictor
Found throughout most of North America, ranging from southern Canada through the United States to Central America. The black subspecies (C. c. constrictor and C. c. priapus) are common in the Eastern United States.
Look up North American Racer (Black Racer) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous (aglyphous teeth)
Danger Level
Harmless - poses no threat to humans or pets. While they can be feisty and will bite if handled, they lack venom and their teeth only cause minor scratches.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Coluber, Species: Coluber constrictor
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Threats include habitat loss and road mortality.
Physical Description
Uniformly solid black dorsal coloration with a smooth, matte to satin finish. The chin and throat often feature a distinctive white or creamy patch. The eyes are large with round pupils, and the head is only slightly wider than the neck. Scales are smooth, giving the snake a sleek appearance.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be an adult, approximately 3 to 4 feet in length. Species typical range is 20 to 60 inches (50 to 152 cm).
Habitat
Generalist species occurring in forests, fields, brushy areas, marshes, and residential gardens. Prefers open or semi-open areas for basking and hunting near cover.
Behavior & Temperament
Extremely fast, alert, and active diurnal hunter. They are famously flighty and will usually flee at high speed when approached. If cornered, they may vibrate their tail in dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake and strike repeatedly to deter threats.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivore. Preys on insects, lizards, snakes, birds, small mammals, and amphibians. Despite their scientific name 'constrictor,' they do not actually constrict; they use their weight to pin prey or simply swallow it alive.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay between 3 to 30 eggs in early summer. Hatchlings are heavily patterned with reddish-brown blotches, which they lose as they mature into solid-colored adults.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), which has keeled scales, a loaf-of-bread shaped body cross-section, and a more docile temperament. Also confused with the Melanistic Eastern Garter Snake or the Indigo Snake (which is much heavier-bodied).
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Threats include habitat loss and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Value highly by farmers and gardeners for their role in controlling rodent and insect populations. They are a classic example of a 'harmless' backyard snake in North American folklore.
Notable Features
Known for a behavior called 'periscoping,' where they lift the front portion of their body off the ground to survey their surroundings. They are one of the fastest snakes in North America.