Northern Racer

Scientific Name: Coluber constrictor constrictor
Size: 36 - 60 in. (90 - 152 cm) in length
PA Status: Abundant

Habitat Type:
Meadows, old fields, farmland, open wooded areas. rock crevices, rock formations. May be found under logs, stumps, boards, and other debris.

Colorations:
Adults:

  • The dorsal is shiny black to bluish with no pattern.
  • The ventral is a dark grey to black.
  • 1 to 6 lower supralabials are white or white speckled with black.

Juveniles:

  • The dorsal background is grey to light brown with a series of narrow blotches that extend to the sides.
  • Blotches are grey to reddish brown with a border of dark grey or black.
  • Dorsal of the head is dark brown becoming white at suprlabials.
  • The ventral is light white with semicircular grey to black blotches.
  • Chin and throat are white, light grey, or tan.

Characteristics:

  • Large, slender species.
  • The head slightly distinct from the body.
  • Large eyes with round pupils
  • Dorsal scales are large and smooth.

Scale Counts:

  • 17 scale rows at midbody and anterior
  • 15 scale rows at posterior
  • 151-193 ventral scales
  • 66-120 subcaudals | 2 rows of subcaudals
  • 2 nasal scales
  • 1 loreal scale
  • 2 preocular scales
  • 2 postocular scales
  • 2+2+2 temporal scales
  • 7-8 supralabials
  • 8-9 infralabials
  • Anal plate is divided

Confused with:

  • Rat Snake
  • Garter snake

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults
Northern Racer - Side head view By: Scott Moser Northern Racer - Adult - By: Dave Emma Northern Racer - Adult - By: Billy Brown
Northern Racer - Adult - By: Billy Brown Northern Racer - Adult - By: Billy Brown Northern Racer - By: Bob Hamilton

Juveniles:
Northern Racer - Juvenile - By: Dave Emma Northern Racer - Juvenile - By: Dave Emma Northern Racer - Juvenile - By: Billy Brown

Range Map:
Northern Racer Range Map

References:

  • Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 275-279pp
  • Ernst, Carl H. and Ernst, Evelyn M. ,2003. Snakes of the United States and Canada. 77-78pp.

Photo Credits:

  • Billy Brown
  • Scott Moser
  • Dave Emma
  • Bob Hamilton