North American Racer (specifically the Southern Black Racer)
Coluber constrictor priapus • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Coluber, Species: Coluber constrictor
Widespread across North America, from southern Canada throughout the United States to Guatemala. This specific subspecies is primarily found in the Southeastern United States, including Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.
Look up North American Racer (specifically the Southern Black Racer) in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous aglyphous snake (lacks specialized fangs)
Danger Level
Harmless / Low Risk. They are not dangerous to humans or pets but will bite defensively if cornered or handled, which may cause minor scratches.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Colubrinae, Genus: Coluber, Species: Coluber constrictor
Conservation
Least Concern (IUCN). Generally abundant, though they face threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Physical Description
Solid matte black dorsal coloration with a distinct white or cream-colored chin and throat. The body is slender with smooth, satiny scales. Eyes are large with round pupils and a prominent brow ridge giving them an intense gaze. Juveniles are strikingly different, possessing grey bodies with reddish-brown blotches.
Size & Dimensions
Specimen appears to be a sub-adult or adult, roughly 24-36 inches. Typical adult range is 20 to 56 inches, with a record of 72 inches.
Habitat
Highly adaptable; found in pinelands, hardwood hammocks, prairies, sandhills, and suburban areas. They prefer open areas with nearby cover and are frequently found in backyard gardens and edges of forests.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and highly active. Known for being nervous, fast-moving, and alert. If threatened, they often vibrate their tails in dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake. They are quick to flee but will strike repeatedly if they feel trapped.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivore. They are active hunters that consume insects, lizards, frogs, birds, rodents, and other snakes. Despite the scientific name 'constrictor', they do not actually constrict; they swallow prey alive or pin it down until dead.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay between 3 to 30 eggs in early summer, typically in underground burrows, rotting logs, or loose soil. Eggs hatch in late summer or early fall.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom.
Look-alikes
Often confused with the Black Rat Snake (Pantherophis alleghaniensis), which has keeled scales and a more 'loaf-of-bread' shaped body cross-section. Also confused with the Indigo Snake, which is much larger, heavier-bodied, and has reddish/orange on the chin.
Conservation Status
Least Concern (IUCN). Generally abundant, though they face threats from habitat fragmentation and road mortality.
Cultural Significance
Valued by gardeners and farmers for natural pest control, as they aggressively hunt rodents and insect pests. They play a vital role as both predators and prey within North American ecosystems.
Notable Features
Remarkable for their speed and agility, Racers often travel with their heads raised above the grass to survey their surroundings. They are one of the few snakes that exhibit 'periscoping' behavior while hunting.