Coluber constrictor flaviventris

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Eastern Yellowbelly Racer

Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, Coluber constrictor flaviventris

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Colubridae
Genus:	Coluber
Species:	C. constrictor
Subspecies:	C. c. flaviventris

Trinomial name

Coluber constrictor flaviventris
Say, 1823

The Eastern Yellowbelly Racer (Coluber constrictor flaviventris) is a subspecies of racer, a non-venomous, colubrid snake.

1 Description
2 Distribution
3 Behaviour
4 References

[edit] Description

The eastern yellowbelly racer is a thin bodied snake, capable of attaining lengths 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. Their color gradually changes as the snake ages, becoming solid olive grey-green around a year old.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Distribution

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.

Juvenile Eastern Yellowbelly Racer, C. c. flaviventris

[edit] Behaviour

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]}