Coluber constrictor foxii
Encyclopedia
The Blue Racer is a subspecies of Coluber constrictor
which is a species of nonvenomous, colubrid
snakes commonly referred to as the eastern racers. Eastern racers are primarily found throughout the United States
, east of the Rocky Mountains
, but they range north into Canada
, and south into Mexico
, Guatemala
and Belize
. There are currently 11 recognized subspecies. The last reliable record of the Blue Racer in mainland Ontario
was 1983. On Pelee Island, the species is restricted to the eastern two thirds of the island. In the United States
, Ohio
, Indiana
, Illinois
, Michigan
, Wisconsin
and Iowa
are now the only states with extant populations of Blue Racers.
's largest snakes, reaching 90 cm to 152 cm snout-to-vent length (SVL). The largest documented specimen captured on Pelee Island was 138 cm SVL. Blue Racers often have creamy white ventral scales, dull grey to brilliant blue lateral scales, and pale brown to dark grey dorsums. They also have characteristic black masks, relatively large eyes, and often have brownish-orange rostral scales (snouts). Unlike adults, hatchlings and yearlings (first full active season) have dorsal blotches that fade completely by the third year; however, juvenile patterning is still visible on the venter until late in the snake's third season. Although there has been some controversy regarding the designation of C.c. foxii as a subspecies distinct from C.c. flaviventris (the yellow-bellied racers), most recent authorities agree that the subspecies C.c. foxii is valid.
Evidence to suggest this comes largely from radio telemetry data from both Blue Racers and eastern fox snakes that inhabited the same general areas on Pelee Island
(although studies were not conducted concurrently). In contrast to Blue Racers, fox snakes were often found under front porches, in barns/garages, and in the foundations of houses; whereas, most (but not all) Blue Racers were observed in more "natural"settings. Therefore, Blue Racers are more confined to areas with minimal anthropogenic activity. Campbell and Perrin also noted that racers were among the first snakes to disappear from suburban areas.
Blue Racers are active foragers. Young snakes may consume crickets and other insects, whereas adults feed primarily on rodents, songbirds, and snakes. Adults engage in both terrestrial and arboreal foraging. Blue Racers are diurnally active. Probable natural predators of adult Blue Racers include the larger birds of prey (e.g., red-tailed hawk
, northern harrier, great horned owl
) and carnivorous mammals such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Dogs and feral house cats are known to kill and/or harass juvenile Blue Racers. The eggs and young are likely vulnerable to a wider variety of avian
and mammalian predators.
The Blue Racer has been on Ontario's Endangered Species List since 1971 consequently, habitat determined to be critical to the snake's persistence is protected (from destruction or significant alteration) under Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1998, Blue Racer "habitat" on Pelee Island was spatially delineated (primarily utilizing mark-recapture and radio telemetry data collected from 1990–1998), and formally identified for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). Subsequent to the spatial delineation (or mapping) of this habitat, the OMNR determined that these lands should be protected from destruction or human interference as is required under the ESA. The habitat protection afforded by the ESA has significant land use implications, particularly because a substantial percentage of Blue Racer habitat identified occurs on private lands. Unfortunately, implementing a program to effectively protect endangered species habitat on private lands has been extremely difficult.Several areas known to harbour blue racers and the important microhabitats used by them (e.g., hibernacula) are formally protected on Pelee Island. Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve and the Stone Road Alvar Complex (owned and managed by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Nature Conservancy Canada) are the two most important protected areas for the Blue Racer.
Coluber constrictor
Coluber constrictor is a species of nonvenomous, colubrid snakes commonly referred to as the eastern racers. They are primarily found throughout the United States, east of the Rocky Mountains, but they range north into Canada, and south into Mexico, Guatemala and Belize...
which is a species of nonvenomous, colubrid
Colubrid
A colubrid is a member of the snake family Colubridae. This broad classification of snakes includes about two-thirds of all snake species on earth. The earliest species of the snake family date back to the Oligocene epoch. With 304 genera and 1,938 species, Colubridae is the largest snake family...
snakes commonly referred to as the eastern racers. Eastern racers are primarily found throughout the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, east of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
, but they range north into Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and south into Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Guatemala
Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
and Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. There are currently 11 recognized subspecies. The last reliable record of the Blue Racer in mainland Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
was 1983. On Pelee Island, the species is restricted to the eastern two thirds of the island. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
and Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
are now the only states with extant populations of Blue Racers.
Description
The Blue Racer is one of OntarioOntario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
's largest snakes, reaching 90 cm to 152 cm snout-to-vent length (SVL). The largest documented specimen captured on Pelee Island was 138 cm SVL. Blue Racers often have creamy white ventral scales, dull grey to brilliant blue lateral scales, and pale brown to dark grey dorsums. They also have characteristic black masks, relatively large eyes, and often have brownish-orange rostral scales (snouts). Unlike adults, hatchlings and yearlings (first full active season) have dorsal blotches that fade completely by the third year; however, juvenile patterning is still visible on the venter until late in the snake's third season. Although there has been some controversy regarding the designation of C.c. foxii as a subspecies distinct from C.c. flaviventris (the yellow-bellied racers), most recent authorities agree that the subspecies C.c. foxii is valid.
Behavior/Adaptability
Blue racers seem to be relatively intolerant of high levels of human activity and foremost of the active season they remain in areas of low human density.Evidence to suggest this comes largely from radio telemetry data from both Blue Racers and eastern fox snakes that inhabited the same general areas on Pelee Island
(although studies were not conducted concurrently). In contrast to Blue Racers, fox snakes were often found under front porches, in barns/garages, and in the foundations of houses; whereas, most (but not all) Blue Racers were observed in more "natural"settings. Therefore, Blue Racers are more confined to areas with minimal anthropogenic activity. Campbell and Perrin also noted that racers were among the first snakes to disappear from suburban areas.
Blue Racers are active foragers. Young snakes may consume crickets and other insects, whereas adults feed primarily on rodents, songbirds, and snakes. Adults engage in both terrestrial and arboreal foraging. Blue Racers are diurnally active. Probable natural predators of adult Blue Racers include the larger birds of prey (e.g., red-tailed hawk
Red-tailed Hawk
The Red-tailed Hawk is a bird of prey, one of three species colloquially known in the United States as the "chickenhawk," though it rarely preys on standard sized chickens. It breeds throughout most of North America, from western Alaska and northern Canada to as far south as Panama and the West...
, northern harrier, great horned owl
Great Horned Owl
The Great Horned Owl, , also known as the Tiger Owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas.-Description:...
) and carnivorous mammals such as raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Dogs and feral house cats are known to kill and/or harass juvenile Blue Racers. The eggs and young are likely vulnerable to a wider variety of avian
Avian
Avian may refer to:* Bird* Avian , an American metal band* AVIAN International, major international company headquartered in Hungary.* Aviano or Avian, an Italian city...
and mammalian predators.
Habitat
Blue racers prefer open and semi-open habitat, savanna, old field shoreline, and edge habitats. It is likely that a mosaic of these habitats is required to fulfill the ecological needs of C. c. foxii.The Blue Racer has been on Ontario's Endangered Species List since 1971 consequently, habitat determined to be critical to the snake's persistence is protected (from destruction or significant alteration) under Ontario's Endangered Species Act (ESA). In 1998, Blue Racer "habitat" on Pelee Island was spatially delineated (primarily utilizing mark-recapture and radio telemetry data collected from 1990–1998), and formally identified for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources (OMNR). Subsequent to the spatial delineation (or mapping) of this habitat, the OMNR determined that these lands should be protected from destruction or human interference as is required under the ESA. The habitat protection afforded by the ESA has significant land use implications, particularly because a substantial percentage of Blue Racer habitat identified occurs on private lands. Unfortunately, implementing a program to effectively protect endangered species habitat on private lands has been extremely difficult.Several areas known to harbour blue racers and the important microhabitats used by them (e.g., hibernacula) are formally protected on Pelee Island. Lighthouse Point Provincial Nature Reserve and the Stone Road Alvar Complex (owned and managed by the Federation of Ontario Naturalists, Essex Region Conservation Authority, and Nature Conservancy Canada) are the two most important protected areas for the Blue Racer.