Research topic: racer

racer name for several related swift, slender snakes, especially those of the genus Coluber. All of the racers are nonpoisonous, nonconstricting, day-active snakes. The black racer, C. constrictor, is easily confused with the constricting black rat snake, or pilot black snake ( Elaphe obsoleta ), which may account for its misleading Latin name. The black racer is satiny black, with a white patch on the chin, and may reach a length of 6 ft (180 cm) and a diameter of 1 1/2 in. (4 cm). It is found in E North America from Canada to Florida. It feeds primarily on small rodents, frogs,... Read more