priapus intergrades in extreme southern Illinois. flaviventris Say, 1823, Eastern Yellow-bellied Racer found in most of the state, and C. Smith (1961) listed two subspecies in Illinois, C. Classic details and throwback hoops flare honor the original Dunk while a splash of vibrant blue helps these kicks make a bold statement all their own. Nomenclatural History: It was transferred to the genus Basconion by Baird & Girard (1853), which is how Kennicott (1855) and Davis & Rice (1883) listed it. For priapus, Coluber constrictor priapus Dunn & Wood, 1939. Original Name: Coluber constrictor Linnaeus, 1758. For foxii, Basconion foxii Baird & Girard, 1853. This species is scientifically known as the Coluber constrictor foxii. Type Specimen: Not designated. For foxii, Holotype. The blue racer snake is one of the few species of blue snakes in the world. Notes on eastern snakes of the genus Coluber. Smithsonian Inst., Washington, xvi + 172 pp. Catalogue of North American Reptiles in the Museum of the Smithsonian Institution. Systema Naturae per Regina tri Naturae secundum Classes, Ordines, Genera, Species, cum Characteribus, Differentiis, Synonymis, Locis. Status: Locally common in some parts of the state.Įtymology: Coluber – (Latin) meaning snake constrictor – constrictus (Latin) meaning ‘drawn together’ f oxii – (New Latin) patronym for Charles Fox (1815-1854) priapus – Priapus (Latin) Roman god of male creative power. Main predators are other snakes and raptors. Eats a variety of animals, including arthropods, worms, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. The young, 20-35 cm TL, hatch in September.
Mates in May and June and female lays 10-20 eggs in late June or July. If cornered, vibrates the tail tip and can be counted on to strike repeatedly. Natural History: Alert and agile, often raises its head above the ground to look around, and reacts to disturbance by moving away quickly. Habitat: A variety of habitats including forests, open areas, and edges of forests near open fields. Hatchling and juvenile up to about 80 cm TL, blue-gray with 55-85 reddish brown blotches on back that become less distinct toward tail, and small dark spots along sides and belly. Throat distinctly lighter (yellow in northwest, white elsewhere).
Phillipsĭescription: Adult long (up to 150 cm TL) and slender with shiny, uniformly blue, blue-green, or black back. Phillips Juvenile North American racer, Perry County, Illinois. North American racer, Will Co., IL photo by C.A. priapus Dunn & Wood, 1939 are thought to inhabit Illinois. foxii (Baird & Girard, 1853) Southern Black Racer, C. Subspecies: Eleven subspecies are currently recognized, but only two, Blue Racer, C. Similar Species: Adults resemble the Gray Ratsnake, Coachwhip, and Plain-bellied Watersnake juveniles resemble young of Gray Ratsnake, Coachwhip, Foxsnake, Yellow-bellied Kingsnake, Milksnake, and water snakes. See the Key to Illinois Snakes for help with identification. Key Characters: Plain black or bluish black smooth scales divided anal plate juveniles heavily marked with small blotches. If you see one, you can report it to constrictor (Linnaeus, 1758) North American racer, Clinton Co., IL photo by C.A. They do not like it when humans are around and are usually among the first snake species to disappear from developing areas.Īdults will eat anything from rodents, frogs, other snakes, and even some small birds when they are active in warmer weather from late April to October. Land Tenure - Racer Habitat Other Name: Western Yellow-bellied Racer. The head is usually darker than the rest of the body and the bellies of these snakes are a milky white color. It's distinguished by its gray or bluish color on its smooth scales. The blue racer is active during the day and can be found in semi-open habitats, meadows, or weedy lake edges and marshes. It’s also been spotted in Ohio, Indiana, as far west as Oregon and Washington and as far south as Kentucky. You can find them all throughout the Midwest including the border states of Illinois, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Southern Minnesota.
There has not been a sighting of this snake in Black Hawk County, but it was spotted in Linn County in 2020. Have you seen one? According to, they have been mainly found in Iowa in areas south of Highway 20. Even though they are non-venomous, they can surely lash out and cause a painful bite. They are non-venomous, but when threatened they may shake their tail to mimic a rattlesnake.
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