Coluber constrictor foxii
Coluber constrictor foxii | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Genus: | Coluber |
Species: | C. constrictor |
Subspecies: | C. c. foxii
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Trinomial name | |
Coluber constrictor foxii | |
Synonyms | |
Coluber constrictor foxii, commonly known as the blue racer, is a
Distribution
Blue racers prefer open and semi-open habitats, savanna, old field shoreline, and edge habitats. A mosaic of these habitats is likely required to fulfill the ecological needs of C. c. foxii.
In the United States: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, South Dakota, and Iowa are the only states with extant populations of blue racer. The last reliable record of the blue racer on mainland Canada was in
Description
Blue racers often have creamy white ventral scales, dull grey to brilliant blue lateral scales, and pale brown to dark grey dorsum. 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.
The blue racer is one of Ontario'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. Although there has been some controversy regarding the designation of C.c. foxii as a subspecies distinct from C.c. flaviventris (the eastern yellow-bellied racer), most recent authorities agree that the subspecies C.c. foxii is valid.[1]
Behavior/Adaptability
Blue racers seem to be relatively intolerant of high levels of human activity and for most 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, eastern 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.[1]
Blue racers are active foragers. The younger snakes may consume
Reproduction
The blue racer is
Conservation
The snake has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List in terms of conservation, but is listed as endangered in Canada by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.[1] It is listed as a species of special concern in the state of Wisconsin.[2]
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 to 1998) and formally identified for the Conservation Land Tax Incentive Program,
References
- ^ a b c d e f *COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Racer Coluber constrictor foxii in Canada
- ^ "Coluber constrictor species profile". Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. Retrieved 9 October 2012.
- COSEWIC Assessment and Update Status Report on the Blue Racer (Coluber constrictor foxii) in Canada
- Racer - Coluber constrictor — Species account from the Iowa Reptile and Amphibian Field Guide
- University of Michigan, Animal Diversity Web: Coluber constrictor
- Species Coluber constrictor at The Reptile Database