EASTERN YELLOW-BELLIED SNAKE
Coluber constrictor flaviventri
Constrictor- Nonvenomous
Commonly referred to as the eastern yellowbelly racer or the blue racer. Adult markings and color are an olive grey-green dorsal (top) fading to blue with yellow underside belly.
Adult Length is 30 to 50 inches.
The eastern yellow-bellied racer subspecies occurs statewide but overlaps in southeastern Missouri, where it is replaced by the southern black racer subspecies.
Food includes frogs, lizards, small snakes, small rodents, birds, and insects. Juveniles will also consume various kinds of soft-bodied insects.
Unlike its scientific name the snake is not a constrictor. They use their speed and agility to capture prey and escape from predation.
Racers are diurnal, active predators. They are nervous, fast moving and are often quick to bite and discharge musk and waste matter from their vents. Once startled they take off moving with lighting fast speed disregarding the direction of escape often at or alongside a human, giving the reputation of the snake chasing them. This is simply a predator prey response, and the snake has no intent on chasing a human.
Commonly referred to as the eastern yellowbelly racer or the blue racer. Adult markings and color are an olive grey-green dorsal (top) fading to blue with yellow underside belly.
Adult Length is 30 to 50 inches.
The eastern yellow-bellied racer subspecies occurs statewide but overlaps in southeastern Missouri, where it is replaced by the southern black racer subspecies.
Food includes frogs, lizards, small snakes, small rodents, birds, and insects. Juveniles will also consume various kinds of soft-bodied insects.
Unlike its scientific name the snake is not a constrictor. They use their speed and agility to capture prey and escape from predation.
Racers are diurnal, active predators. They are nervous, fast moving and are often quick to bite and discharge musk and waste matter from their vents. Once startled they take off moving with lighting fast speed disregarding the direction of escape often at or alongside a human, giving the reputation of the snake chasing them. This is simply a predator prey response, and the snake has no intent on chasing a human.
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