Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Here is a Racer I found just today while hiking with my nephew. One of the reasons I was probably able to catch it is because it may be blind in one eye. I am not sure how it was injured, but it seems to be otherwise, healthy. I am up In Northern Utah, and I am wondering if this is a Blue Racer, Or a Yellow-Bellied.

I know it doesn't have a yellow belly, but I am not sure if Blue Racers range up this far.

Can anyone help me out. Here are some pics

One thing I forgot to ask, If I plan to keep this guy, would Hibernating him be a must?? or just an option??

Thanks!!

It looks as though you have an adult Western Yellow-bellied racer, or Coluber mormon. The scientific name refers to the actual Mormons as they were the first to discover the species in Northern Utah. They are great captives in my opinion and highly underrated. They will eat crickets, lizards, rodents, and quail chicks. Hibernation is not a must, but it is usually a good idea to maintain the health of the snake, especially if you plan on breeding it. If you have any more questions you can e-mail at the address in my signature. Good Luck!
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Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
1.1 Uroplatus henkeli
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville

Thank you for the info Royreptile, I thought it might be a yellow-bellied, because I have had caught many of those before, but this one seems to have no yellow on it whatsoever. Perhaps it is an age characteristic.

I also would have to agree with you about Racers being underrated. I once caught an injured baby racer, and it wasn't eating at first on its own, so when I went to force feed it, he opened his mouth wide of his own will, and cooperated nicely while I fed him. After a few feedings like that, he began to hunt live crickets on his own.

By the way, is there any medicine or anything I can do to help This Racer heal quicker?? I just don't want him to get mouthrot or any other disease. Do racers eat frozen-thawed, or pre-killed prey, or do they need live quick-moving prey to stimulate feeding??

Thanks again for the advice and Info.

I'm not sure what the significance of the white ventral area is, but mine is also white on the ventrals.
As for the eye, I would say leave it alone for now. From the pictures it looks as though it will get better with the next shed. If you insist on trying to treat it, I have heard that neosporin is okay, and there is also a Zoo Med product called repti wound healing aid which may help.
Good luck with your new racer!
-----
Roy Blodgett
Green Man Herpetoculture
royreptile@yahoo.com

1.1 Drymarchon corais
0.1 Coluber mormon
1.1 Lampropeltis getula californiae (desert phase)
1.0 Boiga dendrophila dendrophila
0.1 Candoia aspera (red phase)
1.1 Uroplatus henkeli
1.1 Corytophanes cristatus
1.1 Varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Mt.Isa)
2.1 Pogona vitticeps (snow and red/gold)
1.0 Iguana iguana

“All men lie enveloped in whale-lines. All are born with halters round their necks; but it is only when caught in the swift, sudden turn of death, that mortals realize the silent, subtle, ever-present perils of life.”- Herman Melville