What Is the Blue Racer?
The blue racer snake, Coluber constrictor foxii, is one of eleven recognized subspecies of Coluber constrictor, the eastern racer snake. Eastern racers are found throughout North America and Central America.
In the U.S., the blue racer is found widely in the states of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Minnesota, and Iowa. Records also tell us it lives in Ontario, Canada, where it inhabits about two-thirds of the eastern portion of Pelee Island. It has not been found beyond Pelee Island since 1983.
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Suborder | Serpentes |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Subfamily | Colubrinae |
| Genus | Coluber |
| Species | Coluber constrictor |
| Subspecies | Coluber constrictor foxii |
Physical Features
- The blue racer is a large snake, ranging between four to six feet in length. In Ontario, it ranks among the province's largest snakes.
- Its back has a shiny tinge to it, and is solidly colored in bluish, greenish, or sometimes grayish shades.
- Its ventral (belly) scales are creamy white to light blue in color.
- The head is darker than the body. The eyes are relatively large, and the scales on its snout are brownish orange.
- A juvenile blue racer looks very different from an adult. It has a distinctive pattern of reddish-brown to gray spots on its gray body. As it matures, this pattern begins to fade and disappears completely by the age of three.
Habitat
- A blue racer is generally found in sunny and dry habitats, such as shrubby fencerows, hedgerows, stone walls, old farmlands, thickets, and open woodlands.
- It is also known to inhabit old dunes and sand prairies.
- In certain regions such as southern Michigan, this snake may also be found alongside ponds and marshes, especially if its prey lives nearby.
- The blue racer is a good climber. It can be found up to 20 to 30 feet above the ground level.
Behavior
- The blue racer hibernates in places such as burrows of small mammals and crayfish, rock crevices, rotting logs, and foundations of old buildings. During hibernation, it uses any spot that gives protection and warmth from freezing temperatures.
- Hibernation falls between September and November. In some places, the snake may not appear again before late March.
- Sometimes it travels long distances between its activity area and its hibernaculum (the place where it hibernates) and back.
- This snake can move quickly across shorter distances. The highest recorded speed of a blue racer is about 3.47 miles per hour.
- While moving, it holds its head raised above the ground and stays very alert.
- When threatened, a blue racer quickly darts into nearby bushes or small trees. If it is pushed further, it may turn hostile and bite. Even so, the blue racer is a non-venomous snake, its bite can be extremely painful, but it is not poisonous.
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Reproduction
- The mating season of blue racers generally falls between April and May.
- During this time, the snake becomes aggressive and territorial. You can often spot two male blue racers fighting over a territory or a female.
- A female blue racer reaches sexual maturity at two to three years, and a male at eleven months to two years.
- Blue racers reproduce annually. A single clutch varies between five to twenty-eight eggs.
- The female lays eggs around late June in secure hiding spots, rotting logs, under large rocks, and even in decaying organic mounds.
- The eggs hatch between mid-August and late September. Hatchlings are about eight to thirteen inches long.
Predators and Prey
The blue racer hunts actively for food. It is diurnal, active during the day and sleeping at night.
- Juveniles eat crickets, grasshoppers, and other small insects.
- Adults eat bigger prey: rodents, other snakes, and even songbirds.
- The most common predators of adult blue racers are large birds of prey such as hawks and owls, and carnivores like foxes and raccoons.
- Dogs and cats are known to prey on juvenile blue racers. Eggs and hatchlings are eaten by many birds and animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the blue racer snake venomous?
No, the blue racer is non-venomous. Its bite can be painful but it is not poisonous.
How fast can a blue racer snake move?
The highest recorded speed is about 3.47 miles per hour.
Where is the blue racer snake found in Canada?
On about two-thirds of the eastern portion of Pelee Island, Ontario. It has not been found beyond Pelee Island since 1983.
What does the blue racer snake eat?
Juveniles eat crickets, grasshoppers, and small insects. Adults eat rodents, other snakes, and songbirds.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has not yet assessed the blue racer for its overall conservation status. However, the species is endangered in Canada. The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has listed it as endangered, and it is protected under the Endangered Species Act, 2007 of the Ontario government. In Wisconsin, it has been listed as a species of special concern.
Loss of natural habitat is the main reason for the snake's declining numbers in its range. In some areas, blue racers are also killed in large numbers because of superstitious beliefs.
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