They use their speed to flee into nearby tall grasses, trees, or bushes to hide from predators. Here’s what you need to know when dealing with a possible racer snake on your property. This gives rise to the old wives’ tale that the black racer will chase you and strike at you, which of course, is not true. Observers of snakes can find this species in almost any rural situation within its range in Ohio. The scales are smooth, giving the snake a glossy appearance. There are several black racer subspecies with ranges through different areas of the US. The snake is believed to be even faster in water, but it is yet to be confirm how fast they go. Serpentine method: This motion is what most people think of when they think of snakes. Snake Haters. Viernum said, “Black mambas are one of … How Fast is a Black Racer Snake? This is much faster than most snakes. If you do not wish to welcome the black racer to your yard, please be merciful to the unsuspecting traveler. Instead of biting, they choose to run away. (DepositPhotos) Facts About Black Snakes. This snake is fairly rare, but another more common snake, the Black Racer, is almost as fast. The length of a fully-grown black rat snake ranges from 3.5 feet to 8 feet, although most measure between 3 and 5 feet in length. When on the hunt for food an individual typically holds its head up, above the ground, and moves rapidly through undergrowth. There are some things you can do … Typical size for this snake is 51–142 cm (20–56 in), and the record is 180 cm (72 in). This species can move 4.32 to 5.4 metres per second (10 - 12 mph, or 11 - 19 km/h) over short distances. In fact, they sometimes will even hibernate with other species of … It can be found in the eastern parts of the USA. Southern Black Racers are speedy snakes, slithering around at speeds of approximately four miles an hour (6.5 kilometers an hour). The southern black racer has a white chin, whereas an indigo snake normally has a dark to reddish-orange chin. A southern black racer is also an excellent swimmer and can reach serious speed in water. They are known to prey on lava lizards, geckos, insects, iguanas, mice, rats and hatchlings of several bird species. When a snake moves in a back-and-forth manner across the ground -- seamlessly gripping and pushing of small surface irregularities -- it is called serpentine motion or lateral undulation. It’s the notorious Black Mamba. HOW SNAKES MOVE. This is the fastest form of travel for most snakes, but rattlesnakes don’t engage in this style of locomotion often. The Eastern rat snake, like the Eastern racer, is a constrictor. The black racer, although fast for snakes, can be outdistanced with a fast walk or trot, but usually, they are so quick, that they are between your legs before you know it! Diet: Mostly eat rodents, lizards, birds and bird eggs. Adults have a white throat and belly. Diet: Mostly eat rodents, lizards, birds and bird eggs. This is why people consider the black racer snake a domestic snake. Greatest threats for the survival of black racers in the wild are intentional killing (out of fear) and traffic accidents.
Snakes have four ways of moving around. Additionally, the black mamba arguably has the fastest strike of any snake in the world. Black Mask Racer Habits Black mask racers are found throughout western Mississippi and eastern The snake also prefers to come out when the weather is warm or hot. The Black Racer can move at incredibly quick speeds (which is why it aptly has the term ‘racer’ in its name). I don't understand the physiology of the snake, but it's built for speed, … Sometimes, when threatened, the Black Racer will move into bushes or small trees. Snakes will push off of any bump or other surface, rocks, trees, etc., to get going. Black racer is a type of non-venomous snake that belongs to the colubrid family. The southern black racer is a subspecies of the Coluber constrictor that can be found throughout much of the southeastern United States.