Common Name: Racer

Scientific Name: 
Coluber constrictor

Identification: 20-65 in. There are several 
subspecies of the racer in Louisiana - East 
of the Mississippi River racers are shiny 
black with white throats (Southern Black 
Racer); racers found in the Mississippi Valley 
are gray with black around and behind the eye 
(Black masked racer); In the Southwest part 
of the state racers tend to be tan to olive with 
yellow bellies (tan racer; Eastern yellow bellied 
racer. Snakes from the uplands of central and 
northern Louisiana are slate-gray or blue-gray with white spots (Buttermilk racer); scales smooth.
Habits: Racers prefer open country and partially open woodlands. They are considered partially arboreal and can be found in briar tangles, shrubs and low trees. Racers will bite readily when caught and are often territorial in spring, standing their ground when approached instead of fleeing.
Distribution: Racers may be found throughout Louisiana.
Comments: Racers are non-venomous snakes. The juvenile racer is markedly different in appearance from the adult,  being pale gray with a row of reddish brown spots down the back and smaller spots on the sides. A racer's diet includes small birds, rodents, snakes, lizards, frogs and insects. Despite the scientific name, food is not constricted.