The Southern Black Racer

The Black Racer

While mostly solid black in color, black racers have a white chin and throat.

There are plenty of snakes in Florida, but it’s important not to panic when one is encountered. Not every snake is dangerous; in fact, only six of the more than fifty species of snakes in Florida are venomous. Many snakes are unlikely to be seen during the day, being primarily active at night. Of those that are diurnal, or mostly active during the daytime, one of the most common is the Southern black racer, Coluber constrictor.

Very young black racers are gray or brown with reddish brown markings, making them resemble rat snakes. As they age, their coloration losing its patten and becomes a solid, glossy black. Adults sport a white or grayish chin and throat. They tend to be relatively long and slender, reaching up to five feet or more in length. Black racers live wherever there is food, and can be found in forests, fields, wetlands, and suburban areas alike.

Quick moving, black racers often attempt to flee when they feel threatened. A cornered snake may behave differently, so it is best to leave them alone. They may shake their tails to imitate a rattle, release a bad-smelling musk, or even strike and bite. Again, they are non-venomous, but avoiding snakebites is good policy in all cases.

The Southern black racer can be a helpful neighbor to have, feeding on other snakes, lizards, rodents, insects, birds, and amphibians. They serve as food for birds of prey as well as mammals and larger snakes.