Southern Black Racer (Coluber constrictor priapus)
Description: Adults of the species are usually thin with a jet black dorsal side with a grey belly and white chin. They are quite fast, giving them the name "racer". Typical size for this snake is 20 to 56 inches, and the record is 72 inches. The southern black racer has a white chin, whereas an indigo snake normally has a dark to reddish-orange chin.
Habitat: Southern black racers prefer to live in wooded areas, brush, and thickets but can also be seen in more open areas. Like all cold-blooded specimens, which regulate their temperature by moving in and out of sunlight, this snake will reside in any place where there is both exposed and covered ground.
Range: (SE states and north and west in Mississippi valley to S Indiana and SE Oklahoma, Lower Florida Keys, E Texas, Arkansas); Type locality: Florida, West Palm Beach. Type locality: West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.
Diet: The southern black racer is a predator that relies on lizards, insects, moles, birds, eggs, small snakes, rodents, and frogs. Despite its specific name constrictor (scientific name: Coluber constrictor), the racer is more likely to suffocate or crush its victim into the ground, rather than coiling around it in typical constrictor fashion.
Reproduction: The species mating season is the springtime, mostly between late April and mid-June. The breeding season extends from the month of June to early July. The males become sexually mature at the age of 1 or 2 years, whereas the female southern black racer reaches their sexual maturity later between 2 and 3 years. The female can give birth anywhere from between 3 and 32 babies. After birth, the juveniles are approximately 6 inches long. The adult snakes do not feed the babies or even protect them. For the baby southern black racers to survive they use the process of camouflage. Even so, the juveniles have a survival rate of only around 40%, which means that, in general, only about 8 babies survive through the first year of their life.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a broad range of habitats, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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