The Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) is a common, non-venomous species native to parts of Midwestern and Eastern North America. This snake, a subspecies of the widespread Eastern Racer, does not possess the venom or fangs necessary to inject toxins, meaning it poses no medically significant threat to humans. Its reputation for speed and aggressive posturing has led to the misconception that it is dangerous, but its primary instinct is to avoid confrontation.
Clarifying the Danger Level
If provoked, the Blue Racer will defend itself. These snakes are naturally nervous and rapidly flee from people, but if trapped, they may strike repeatedly. This defensive behavior is usually a bluff, resulting in minor puncture wounds from their small, sharp teeth. A bite is non-medically significant, but the primary concern following such an incident is the low risk of infection, which can be mitigated by immediately cleaning the wound with soap and water. In many regions, the Blue Racer is a protected species, underscoring its ecological importance. The snake also vibrates its tail rapidly in dry leaves when threatened, creating a sound similar to a rattlesnake to deter predators.
Speed and Hunting Techniques
The common name “Racer” refers to the snake’s incredible speed, which is its most effective tool for both defense and hunting. These slender, agile snakes can move up to four miles per hour, allowing them to quickly disappear into vegetation or pursue prey in open habitats. Blue Racers are active foragers that hunt primarily by sight, often holding their heads elevated above the grass in a behavior known as “periscoping” to scan their surroundings. Although their scientific name Coluber constrictor suggests otherwise, racers typically do not subdue prey by coiling and constricting. Instead, they pin the animal down with their body and swallow it alive, or they may thrash it violently before consumption. Their varied diet includes rodents, lizards, frogs, insects, birds, and other snakes, making them an important component of the ecosystem.
Key Identification Features and Habitat
Adult Blue Racers exhibit a uniform coloration ranging from pale blue to bluish-gray or olive, with a white or cream belly. They have smooth, unkeeled scales that give them a satiny appearance and possess large eyes suited for their visual hunting style. These snakes are long and slender, commonly reaching lengths between three and five feet. Juvenile Blue Racers look markedly different, born with a distinct pattern of dark blotches or spots on a grayish base. This blotched pattern gradually fades as the snake matures, with the solid adult coloration appearing completely by the time the snake is two or three years old. The Blue Racer subspecies is generally found in the Great Lakes region and parts of the Midwest, including states like Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. They prefer open or semi-open habitats, such as grasslands, meadows, old fields, and edges of woodlands.