Coluber constrictor flaviventris

Coluber constrictor flaviventris
	eastern yellowbelly racer
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Subfamily:	Colubrinae
Genus:	Coluber
Species:	C. constrictor
Subspecies:	C. c. flaviventris
Trinomial name
	Coluber constrictor flaviventris; Say, 1823
Synonyms
	Coluber flaviventris Say, 1823; Bascanion flaviventris ; — Baird & Girard, 1853; Coryphodon flaviventris ; — Hallowell, 1856; Coluber constrictor var. flaviventris ; — Garman, 1883; Coluber constrictor flaviventris ; — Grant, 1937;

Coluber constrictor flaviventris, commonly known as the eastern yellowbelly racer, is a subspecies of racer, a nonvenomous, colubrid snake. It is endemic to North America.

Description

The eastern yellowbelly racer is a thin-bodied snake, capable of attaining a total length of 1.5 metres (60 inches). As an adult, its color is an olive grey-green, with a yellow underside. As a juvenile it is remarkably different, having a tan or cream-colored body with brown or grey blotches. The color gradually changes as the snake ages, becoming solid olive grey-green. Authors disagree as to when this transformation is complete, from 1½ to three years old, and from 18 to 30 inches (46-76 cm) in total length.^[3]

Geographic range

The eastern yellowbelly racer is found in the United States, from the states of Montana, North Dakota, east to Iowa and south to Texas, and southwest to Louisiana. It is also found in isolated populations in Canada, and is listed as an endangered species in the province of Saskatchewan.

Behavior

Racers are diurnal, active predators. They are fast moving, and are often quick to bite if handled. They generally eat rodents, lizards, and frogs, but as juveniles they will also consume various kinds of soft bodied insect. They are fairly nervous snakes, and as such, do not typically fare well in captivity.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ ^a ^b The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org
^ Stejneger, L., and T. Barbour. 1917. A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 125 pp. (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, p. 79.)
^ Wright, A.H., & A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, pp. 138-142, Figure 44., Map 16.)

Herps of Texas: Coluber constrictor

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[RDB-1] The Reptile Database. www.reptile-database.org

[2] Stejneger, L., and T. Barbour. 1917. A Check List of North American Amphibians and Reptiles. Harvard University Press. Cambridge, Massachusetts. 125 pp. (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, p. 79.)

[3] Wright, A.H., & A.A. Wright. 1957. Handbook of Snakes of the United States and Canada. Comstock. Ithaca & London. 1,105 pp. (in 2 volumes) (Coluber constrictor flaviventris, pp. 138-142, Figure 44., Map 16.)

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