Blue Racer Snake
Blue Racer snake (Coluber constrictor foxii) is a subspecies of the Eastern Racer snake, which is native to the United States. It is known for its bright blue color and can grow up to 6 feet in length. Blue racers are non-venomous and generally not considered a threat to humans. They are active during the day and typically eat small rodents, lizards, and insects. They are found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, fields, and marshes. They are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Blue Racer Snake Facts
The Blue Racer snake is a subspecies of the Eastern Racer snake, and is known for its bright blue color.
They can grow up to 6 feet in length.
They are non-venomous and generally not considered a threat to humans.
They are active during the day and typically eat small rodents, lizards, and insects.
They are found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, fields, and marshes.
They are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
They are known for their speed and agility, and can move quite rapidly when threatened.
They are also known to be good swimmers and are found near water bodies
Blue racers are found in the US and Canada, mostly in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions.
They are also known for their docile nature and are not known to be aggressive towards humans.
Scientific Name and Classification
The scientific name for the Blue Racer snake is Coluber constrictor foxii. It is a subspecies of the Eastern Racer snake, Coluber constrictor.
The classification of the Blue Racer snake is as follows:
Kingdom: Animalia (animals)
Phylum: Chordata (animals with a backbone)
Class: Reptilia (reptiles)
Order: Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Family: Colubridae (non-venomous snakes)
Genus: Coluber (racers and green snakes)
Species: C. constrictor (Eastern Racer)
Subspecies: C. c. foxii (Blue Racer)
Blue Racer Snake Appearance
The Blue Racer snake is known for its bright blue color, which can range from a powdery blue to a deep, electric blue. The underside of the snake is typically white or gray, and the scales may have black or dark gray edges. The snake’s head is typically a little darker than the rest of its body. They have smooth scales and a slender body. Juvenile Blue Racer snakes may have a greenish or grayish color, but will turn blue as they mature. Adult Blue Racer snakes can grow up to 6 feet in length, though most are around 4 feet.
Blue Racer Snake Behavior
The Blue Racer snake is active during the day and is known for its speed and agility. They are good swimmers and are often found near water bodies. They are primarily solitary animals, but may be found in small groups during breeding season or when basking in the sun. They are not known to be aggressive towards humans, and will usually flee when threatened.
Their diet primarily consists of small rodents, lizards and insects. They are non-venomous and will use constriction to subdue their prey. They are also known to eat other small snakes, including venomous species.
During the breeding season, which usually takes place in spring, males will engage in combat with other males to establish dominance and gain access to females. After mating, females will lay eggs in a nest, usually underground. The eggs will hatch in about 2 months, and the young will be about 7-8 inches long at birth.
Blue Racers are known for their docile nature and are not known to be aggressive towards humans. They are also known for their speed and agility, and can move quite rapidly when threatened. They are also known to be good swimmers and are found near water bodies.
Blue Racer Snake Habitat
The Blue Racer snake is native to the United States, and is primarily found in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, fields, and marshes. They are also found near water bodies such as streams, rivers, and lakes. They are able to adapt to different types of terrain and can be found in both rural and urban areas. They are known to be found in open areas, where they can sun themselves and hunt for prey. They also use wooded areas to find shelter and protection. Blue Racer snakes can survive in a wide range of temperatures, but are most active in the warmer months.
Blue Racer Snake Diet
The Blue Racer snake is primarily a carnivore and its diet mainly consists of small rodents, lizards, and insects. They are opportunistic feeders and will eat whatever prey is readily available to them. They are also known to eat other small snakes, including venomous species. They are non-venomous and will use constriction to subdue their prey. They will bite the prey and then wrap their body around it, squeezing until the prey stops breathing. They will then swallow the prey whole. Blue Racer snakes are known to be active hunters, and can be seen hunting during the day. They are also known to be opportunistic feeders, which means that they will take advantage of any food source that is available to them.
Predators, Threats, Conservation, and Population
Predators: Blue Racer snakes have few natural predators, but they may fall prey to larger snakes, birds of prey, and mammals such as raccoons and skunks. Juvenile Blue Racer snakes are more vulnerable to predation, as they are smaller and less able to defend themselves.
Threats: Blue Racer snakes are not considered to be endangered, but their population numbers have decreased in some areas due to human activities such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution, and road mortality. In addition, collection for the pet trade and killing due to fear or mistaken identity also contribute to the decline of their population.
Conservation: Blue Racer snakes are considered a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, conservation efforts are needed to protect their habitats and to educate the public about their importance in the ecosystem.
Population: The population of the Blue Racer snake is considered stable. However, it is not well studied, and exact population numbers are not known. Their population numbers have decreased in some areas due to human activities such as habitat destruction and fragmentation, pollution, and road mortality. However, in other areas, their population numbers are considered stable or even increasing.
Read Also: Boa Snake
Blue Racer Snake FAQ
The Blue Racer snake, also known as the Eastern Racer, is a species of nonvenomous snake found in North America. Here are some frequently asked questions about this species:
Q: What does a Blue Racer snake look like?
A: These are typically blue-gray in color with a white or cream-colored belly. They can reach up to 6 feet in length, but most individuals are around 3-4 feet. They have a slender body and smooth scales.
Q: Where are Blue Racer snakes found?
A: It is found in the eastern United States and parts of Canada, including Ontario. They can be found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, grasslands, and wetlands.
Q: What do Blue Racer snakes eat?
A: Blue Racer snakes are carnivorous and eat a wide variety of prey, including insects, lizards, small mammals, and other small snakes.
Q: Are Blue Racer snakes dangerous to humans?
A: Blue Racer snakes are not venomous and are not considered dangerous to humans. They are non-aggressive and will typically try to flee if threatened. However, if cornered or handled, they may bite as a defensive measure.
Q: Are Blue Racer snakes protected?
A: The Blue Racer snake is not considered an endangered species, but it is protected in some states. Some states like New York and Ohio have listed it as a species of special concern. It is always best to check the laws of your state before capturing or collecting one.
