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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University. Site last updated: 05/21/07.
Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps; Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo
Northern Black racer
(Coluber constrictor)
Description
The black racer is a quick, sleek snake, achieving lengths of up to 77 inches. Scales are smooth, the anal plate is divided, and there are 17 scale rows at mid-body. The dorsum is typically a uniform dark brown or black, and the ventral surface is a little lighter, but the throat is white or cream colored. Black racers often have distinctly large eyes and round pupils. In contrast to the black rat snake, white in the black racer is confined only to the throat and neck. Juveniles tend to be more blotched than adults.
Habitat
Black racers tend to occupy dry, sunny areas with available cover. Open woodlands, thickets, forest edges, marshes, and lake edges are prime habitats. The diet of adult racers typically includes arthropods, birds, frogs, lizards, small reptiles, and small rodents. Despite the specific epithet, black racers are not constrictors.
Breeding
Mating takes place between May and June, and females will lay a clutch of 5-20 eggs in June or July. Eggs will be laid in a rotted log or animal burrow, or under rocks or leaf litter. Hatchlings will emerge from the nest in August or September, and they will range between 7.5 and 14 inches in length. Males sexually mature in 1 or 2 years, while females take 2 or 3 years to mature. Black racers have been known to lay their eggs communally with other species.
Distribution in Maryland
Range map adapted from Harris, 1975.
Links
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Coluber_constrictor.html
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/co_constri.html