Photo by Ruby Jung. All rights reserved.

Black Racers

Black Racers hatch out of their eggs in late summer. Looking like miniature versions of their parents these harmless reptiles fan out from their nest and enjoy the bounty of the land - fattening up before the cold of winter forces them into hibernation.

Despite their name these snakes aren't very much faster than Rat Snakes (pictured) or Kingsnakes of the same size - they just seem faster because of their vigorous and exaggerated movements. Among the snake fraternity this species is a drama queen relying on bluff and bluster to get it out of difficult situations.

Black Racers and their more northern prairie relations the Blue Racers are nervous, shy and extremely alert snakes that can just barely tolerate our presence near a food source. At the first sign of a human they usually flee. Most often seen around barns these are welcome snakes for the farmer as they eat mice and rats which eat stored grain.

Black Racers, like most of the larger snakes in our area, engage in tail rattling when alarmed or surprised. Not having rattles on their tail the snakes rely on dead leaves for sound effects. Usually the bluff works. When cornered this species will often charge the aggressor by rearing up and moving rapidly forward. The snake continues its bluff only until its attacker departs and then the snake beats a hasty retreat of its own. Tales of Racers chasing humans are just that: tales.

From our Archive:

• Hatching Reptile Eggs

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