- Coluber constrictor flaviventris
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eastern yellowbelly racer 
eastern yellowbelly racer, Coluber constrictor flaviventris Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Colubridae Genus: Coluber Species: C. constrictor Subspecies: C. c. flaviventris Trinomial name Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Say, 1823The eastern yellowbelly racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) is a subspecies of racer, a nonvenomous, colubrid snake.
Contents
Description
The eastern yellowbelly racer is a thin-bodied snake, capable of attaining lengths of 1.5 metres (60 inches). As an adult, its color is an olive grey-green, with a yellow underside. As a juvenile it is remarkably different, having a tan or cream colored body with brown or grey blotches. Their color gradually changes as the snake ages, becoming solid olive grey-green. Authors disagree as to when this transformation is complete, from 1½ to three years old, and from 18 to 30 inches long.[1]
Distribution
The eastern yellowbelly racer is found in the United States, from the states of Montana, North Dakota, east to Iowa and south to Texas, and southwest to Louisiana. It is also found in isolated populations in Canada, and is listed as an endangered species in the province of Saskatchewan.
Juvenile Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, C. c. flaviventris
Behavior
Racers are diurnal, active predators. They are fast moving, and are often quick to bite if handled. They generally eat rodents, lizards, and frogs, but as juveniles they will also consume various kinds of soft bodied insect. They are fairly nervous snakes, and as such, do not typically fare well in captivity.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Wright, A.H. & A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London.
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