This nonpoisonous snake
can be found sunning itself near fields, hedge rows, and forest edges.
They are among the fastest moving snakes in North America. Unlike true
constrictors, which kill animals by wrapping around them and squeezing,
the blue racer presses down on its prey with its body and then swallows
the subdued prey whole. Blue racers are large, dark snakes with lighter
undersides. Newly hatched blue racers range from 8 to 14 inches. Adult
blue racers may grow to 60 inches. The bodies of young blue
racers are covered with patterns of brown, gray, and red. Adults are
gray-blue or light brown with a whitish underside. Blue racers reach
breeding age at one to two years for males and two to three years for
females. The snakes mate in spring. A month or so later the female lays
up to 32 rough-surfaced, oval white eggs about the size of a large
grape in a sheltered spot such as under a log or in a borrowed burrow.
The young hatch in late summer.Blue racers are rare in Minnesota and
have been designated a species of special concern
|
