Kenneth L. Krysko photo.
Southern Racer, Coluber constrictor
Southern racers are fast and agile. These slender black snakes can be seen coursing rapidly through the live oak hammocks, the dunes meadows, and cedar-cabbage palm forests. They are frequently found prowling around freshwater ponds where one of their favorite prey species, leopard frogs, occur. Their lips, chin and throat typically are white. While primarily a terrestrial species, they readily climb wax myrtles, and other shrubs and well-branched small trees. When cornered, they nervously vibrate their tail. The sound of that vibration in dry leaves is reminiscent of a rattlesnake's rattle.
Kenneth L. Krysko photo.
Juveniles are blotched. Their color darkens as
they grow older.
