Page 21 - Arkansas Snake Guide

JUVENILE TERRESTRIAL SNAKES

SUZANNE COLLINS
Racer
Coluber constrictor
Range Statewide.
Description Smooth scales. A snake of variable color
pattern, depending on location. Central Arkansas: body
and belly are black; throat and chin white. Mississippi Delta:
body slate gray, belly gray-blue, black mask-like stripe on
side of head. Coastal Plain: body black, bluish or olive,
speckled with white, yellow, cream or pale blue scales.
Ozarks: body olive, dull green or blue-green, belly bright
yellow to pale creamy yellow. Young are boldly patterned
with brown or red-brown blotches and small dark spots
on sides. Adults 30-60 inches in length.
Habitat and Habits Active by day in fields, forests and
forest edges March-November. Breeds late March-April,
lays 5-30 eggs late May-June, eggs hatch August-September.
Eats rodents, snakes, frogs and insects.
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