Racer {Coluber constrictor) 



Description: A slender, but moderately long snake, the Racer ranges from 20-65 inches in length. 

 Adult coloration is uniform across the dorsal side, but it can vary from a greenish-gray to 

 brown or blue. The ventral side is whitish to pale yellow, the latter color extending onto the 

 upper lip scales and nasal region. The eyes are relatively large. The scales are smooth and the 

 nostril is bordered by two scales. 



Young: Snakes (up to about 20") have a much different coloration than the adults, consisting 

 of a series of dorsal brown blotches edged with black which run the length of the animal; a 

 row of blotches is also found on each side of the animal extending onto the ventral side. 



Similar species: Young Gopher Snakes may be distinguished by the keeled rather than smooth 

 scales of the young Racer. Young Western Hognose Snakes have an upturned nose. Smooth 

 Green Snakes are smaller and colored bright grass-green and whitish below; their nostrils are 

 centered in single scales. The Rubber Boa has very small eyes and is very slow and docile. 



Habitat and Habits: The Racer is associated with more open habitats either in shortgrass, shrub- 

 steppe, or forested areas (Hammerson 1982a, Baxter and Stone 1985). It is often found near 

 water and rocks. The Racer is an extremely fast and agile snake. A clutch of perhaps 3-7 

 eggs is laid in the summer (Stebbins 1985). It preys on insects and small vertebrates such as 

 mice and frogs. Adults were documented in 1998 between 19 May and 28 June (Appendix 2). 



Surveying: They may be surveyed for by slowly walking through appropriate habitat on warm, 

 sunny days and careftilly watching for them; this technique is moderately effective for the 

 Racer. However, as with many lizards and snakes, they may easily be missed. Careftilly 

 documented incidental observations may provide the best clues to their distribution. They 

 may be also taken in ftinnel traps with drift fences. Mark-recapture methods offer the best 

 opportunity for determining population status. 



Status: The Racer is probably relatively common throughout much of eastern Montana, and was 

 the most frequently encountered snake on the Ashland District, Custer National Forest 

 (Hendricks and Reichel 1996). It was documented at 4 sites in 3 counties during the 1998 

 surveys (Appendix 2), and encountered 4 additional times in 4 counties (3 additional counties 

 to those of the site surveys: Appendix 4). Although this species may be fairly common, any 

 sightings should still be documented to help fill distribution gaps. Of particular interest would 

 be documentation of any denning sites located. 



Montana Natural Heritage Program rank: G5 S5. 



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