Mating occurs in the spring, and a clutch of approximately 30 eggs is laid typically in the month of May, to hatch mid summer. Description: Large slender species with large smooth scales. Eleven subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies, are recognized, which as a group are commonly referred to as the eastern racers. The species is endemic to North America and Central America. May be found under logs, stumps, boards, and other debris. The eastern racer ( Coluber constrictor) is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae. Habitat: Meadows, old fields, farmland, open wooded areas, rock crevices, rock formations. The tan racer prefers habitats of pine flatwoods. Scientific Name: Coluber constrictor constrictor Size: 36 60 in. It is fast moving, and generally seeks to use its speed to escape if approached. Its diet consists of a wide variety of prey, but primarily includes rodents, and lizards. Coluber constrictordoes not constrict, as the scientific name implies, but pins its prey with body loops and swallows it alive. Like all racers, the tan racer is diurnal and highly active. It has large eyes, with round pupils, and excellent vision. 75 – 1.5 m (30 to 60 inches) in total length (including tail). The underside is typically gray or white, sometimes with yellow spotting. Juveniles have a pattern of dark brown dorsal blotches, which fade to solid tan at about a year of age. The tan racer, as its name implies, is typically a solid tan in color. The subspecific name or epithet, etheridgei, is in honor of the American herpetologist Richard Emmett Etheridge. Madison (1978) determined that Northern Black Racers in Warren County selectively preyed on lactating female meadow voles ( Microtus pennsylvanicus ) and the largest males in the population. etheridgei is found in west-central Louisiana and adjacent eastern Texas. Coluber constrictor does not constrict, as the scientific name implies, but pins its prey with body loops and swallows it alive. Standard Common and Current Scientific Names for North American Amphibians and Reptiles, Third Edition. It is at risk due to loss of habitat from agriculture, mortality on roads, loss of den sites and perhaps from effects of small population size. Coluber constrictor Name Homonyms Coluber constrictor etheridgei Wilson, 1970 Common names Tan Racer in English Bibliographic References. The subspecies is native to the southern United States.Ĭ. Coluber constrictor flaviventris Status: Threatened Reason for designation: This snake is restricted to two small areas in extreme southern Saskatchewan. ![]() Adult Black Racers have a solid black to blue-gray dorsal surface. Coluber constrictor etheridgei, commonly known as the tan racer, is a subspecies of non venomous snake in the family Colubridae, a subspecies of the eastern racer ( Coluber constrictor). North American Black Racer (Coluber constrictor) Appearance.
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