The Racers 



Olive above; pale yellow beneath. 



"BLUE" RACER, Z. constrictor, variety ' flaviventris. 

 Distribution. U. S. west of the Mississippi. 

 Forward portion of body blackish, becoming pale brown 

 on latter portion ; abdomen white. 



COACHWHIP SNAKE, Z. ftagelliformis. 

 Distribution. Southern United States. 

 Entire upper surface dark brown; uniform pink beneath. 

 PINK-BELLIED RACER, Z. flagelliformis, variety piceus. 

 Distribution. Southern Arizona. 



b. Transverse bands on forward portion. 



Reddish brown, with darker cross-bands on forward 

 portion; abdomen pinkish. 



RED RACER, Z. flagelliformis, variety frenatum. 

 Distribution. Southwestern U. S. 



c. Body with stripes, running lengthwise. 



Brown or black a single (narrow) yellow band on 

 each side of body. 



BANDED RACER, Z. lateralis. 

 Distribution. Arizona and California. 

 Brown, with two or more narrow, yellow stripes 

 on each side. 



STRIPED RACER, Z. tceniatus. 

 Distribution. Southwestern U. S. 



d. Body with both bands and stripes. 



Brown, with two, narrow yellow stripes on each side. 

 Wide, dark cross-bands on the back. 



ORNATE RACER, Z. tceniatus, variety ornatus. 

 Distribution. Western Texas. 



The Genus Spilotes: Representing this genus in the United 

 States is one of the largest of the North American serpents. 

 The several species of the genus occurring in tropical South 

 America are the largest of the non-venomous snakes, excepting 

 the great constricting snakes the Boidcz. The species of Spilotes 

 are often known as the "Rat Snakes" owing to their fondness 

 for rodents and the agility they exhibit in catching them. Thus, 

 in South America and the West Indies, they are recognised as 

 reptiles of considerable value for man, and are quite strenuously 

 protected. In the tropics it is not an uncommon sight to see 

 them prowling about yards and enclosures, gliding under the 

 houses and in other ways evincing a general familiarity toward 

 man that comes after a period of immunity from danger. While 

 powerful and quick of movement, these large snakes are not 



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