reptile · GBIF taxon 6161779
Southern Black Racer
Coluber constrictor priapusAlso known as Black Racer, Southern Racer, Black Runner
Southern black racers are highly active, diurnal predators that rely on their keen eyesight and exceptional speed to hunt down prey across fields and open woodlands. When confronted, they vibrate their tails in dry leaf litter to mimic a rattlesnake, attempting to deter potential threats before fleeing into dense brush. Despite their scientific name, they do not actually constrict their prey, instead pressing it to the ground or swallowing it alive.
DiurnalNonvenomousFast-moving
Licensed reference(c) Andrew Durso, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Carnivorous (rodents, lizards, frogs, toads, insects, and smaller snakes)
- family
- Colubridae
- threats
- Habitat fragmentation, road mortality, and persecution by humans who mistake them for venomous snakes
- life Span
- 10 to 15 years
LC
Nonvenomous but will bite defensively if cornered or handled; observe from a respectful distance.
- Keep Your Distance: Give these fast snakes space, as they startle easily and will flee or strike if cornered.
- Watch the Tail: Listen for a buzzing sound in dry leaves, which is a defensive warning mimicry.
- Avoid Handling: Respect their wild nature, as handling causes extreme stress and results in musking or biting.