Northern Racer

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

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

Description:
Large slender species with large smooth scales. The head is narrow but still wider than the neck, slightly distinct from the body. They eyes are large with rounded pupils; and a strong eyebrow ridge. The dorsal is shiny black to bluish with no pattern. The ventral is a dark gray to black. 1 to 6 lower supralabials (scales on the lower part of the mouth) are white or white speckled with black. The nose is tan.

Juveniles have a very different pattern than adults. Young have a gray to light brown body color with a series of narrow blotches that extend to the sides. The blotches are gray to reddish brown with a border of dark gray or black. The top portion of the head is dark brown becoming white at lower scales around the mouth. The throat and chin are white, light gray, or tan. The underside of the body is white with semicircular gray to black blotches.

Adult Coloration:
  • 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.
Adult Characteristics:
  • Large, slender species.
  • The head slightly distinct from the body.
  • Large eyes with round pupils
  • Dorsal scales are large and smooth.
Juvenile Characteristics:
  • The dorsal background is gray to light brown with a series of narrow blotches that extend to the sides.
  • Blotches are gray to reddish brown with a border of dark gray or black.
  • Dorsal of the head is dark brown becoming white at suprlabials.
  • The ventral is light white with semicircular gray to black blotches.
  • Chin and throat are white, light gray, or tan.
Scale Count:
  • 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
Range:

May be Confused With:
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.
Credits:
  • Billy Brown
  • Scott Moser
  • Dave Emma
  • Bob Hamilton
  • Jason Poston
  • Sebastian Harris
  • Ed Patterson
  • Kyle Loucks
  • Bob Ferguson
  • Chris Bortz
  • Andy Weber
  • Andrew Hoffman
  • Stephen Staedtler

Heads up!

Please contribute your observation of this and other herps to the Pennsylvania Amphibian and Reptile Survey. Your help is needed.

Submit Your Finding