# North American Racer (*Coluber constrictor*) The North American Racer is a fast and slender snake that loves to explore! It has smooth scales and can be green, brown, or gray. These snakes are great at hiding and can be found in many places. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 53 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![North American Racer](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Coluber_constrictor_anthicus.jpg&width=800) Photo: The original uploader was Dawson at English Wikipedia ., CC BY-SA 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coluber_constrictor_anthicus.jpg) ## Appearance The North American Racer is a slender snake, typically solid colored as an adult, ranging from black, blue, or gray to olive-brown, with a contrasting white or yellow belly. Juveniles, however, sport distinct dark blotches down their back, fading as they mature into their uniform adult coloration. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Coluber ## Interesting facts - Despite their name, Racers don't constrict prey; they pin it down to eat! - These speedy snakes are active during the day, making them diurnal hunters. - They often eat other snakes, including venomous ones, showing no fear! - Young Racers have bold patterns that fade away as they grow into adults! ## Special abilities - **Lightning Dash:** North American Racers can sprint at high speeds that help them outmaneuver predators or rapidly pursue quick-moving prey. - **Eagle Eye Hunter:** North American Racers have large eyes and keen eyesight that helps them spot and ambush fast-moving prey. - **Rattlesnake Impersonation:** North American Racers can vibrate their tails rapidly in dry leaves, creating a buzzing sound to mimic a rattlesnake. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-150 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-10 years - **Speed:** 16 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 5-20 - **Incubation:** 40-60 days ## Diet & Feeding They hunt and eat a wide variety of small animals like insects, frogs, rodents, and other snakes. - **Age differences:** Young snakes eat mostly insects, gradually adding larger prey as they grow. - **Primary Foods:** Insects, Frogs, Lizards, Rodents, Small Birds, Other Snakes - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Meadow Vole (*Microtus pennsylvanicus*) — a common small mammal prey - **Hunts:** Green Anole (*Anolis carolinensis*) — a frequent lizard meal - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — a major avian predator - **Eaten by:** [Coyote](https://www.snappit.app/explore/coyote) (*Canis latrans*) — a ground predator of snakes ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low If you see a snake, it's best to stay calm and give it space. Never try to touch it. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify North American Racer? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is North American Racer? 60-150 cm ### How much does North American Racer weigh? 0.15-0.5 kg ### How long does North American Racer live? 5-10 years ### How fast can North American Racer move? 16 km/h ### What does North American Racer eat? They hunt and eat a wide variety of small animals like insects, frogs, rodents, and other snakes. ### Where is North American Racer usually found? Grasslands ### How does North American Racer hunt? Pursuit ## Where to spot - [Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arrowmont-school-of-arts-and-crafts) — Tennessee, US · Campus - [Charleston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/charleston-historic-district) — South Carolina, US · Historic District - [Chilocco Indian Agricultural School](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chilocco-indian-agricultural-school) — Oklahoma, US · Campus - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Downtown Quincy Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/downtown-quincy-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District [View all places to see North American Racer](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/north-american-racer) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [North American Racer: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-racer)