Southern Black Racer
Coluber constrictor priapus
Young racers look very different, with gray bodies and reddish-brown blotches.
Young racers look very different, with gray bodies and reddish-brown blotches. Do not kill or handle. Give the snake room to leave and remove outdoor clutter if repeated visits become a concern.
Habitat:
Woodlands, Fields, Wetlands, Neighborhoods
Area / Range:
Statewide
Diet:
Lizards, frogs, insects, rodents, birds, and other snakes.
Behavior:
Fast daytime hunter. Usually flees quickly and may strike if cornered.
Day
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Look during day in suitable Florida habitat.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Common native wildlife
Safety Level:
Nonvenomous. Do Not Handle
Safety Information:
Do not kill or handle. Give the snake room to leave and remove outdoor clutter if repeated visits become a concern.
Benefits to Property:
Reduces rodents, lizards, insects, and other small prey.
Property Concerns:
Rarely creates property damage. Encounters frighten residents unfamiliar with snakes.
Fun Fact:
Young racers look very different, with gray bodies and reddish-brown blotches.
Wildlife Laws:
Do not kill or handle. Give the snake room to leave and remove outdoor clutter if repeated visits become a concern.
Identification:
Slender glossy black body, white chin, large eyes, and smooth scales.
Credits:
Facts: wildlife reference. Images: primary image and secondary image, Wikimedia Commons.